The UK strawberry season is moving rapidly, according to Chris Rose at Asplins Producer Organisation.
"We have just had glasshouse fruit until now, but the first strawberries from our French tunnels are starting, and we will have fruit from the other sites very soon too."
The weather has been good, and what was expected to be a late season has turned out to be ahead of last year's.
"On the one hand, this is good, as we want early production and this will ensure a good supply running through July, and the early production gives us better marketing opportunities. There is a bit of competition from the later Spanish production, which could be a potential problem, especially if customers have committed to taking the fruit. The COOP has already gone 100% to British strawberries, which is quite early. This may lead to other retailers doing the same. Where we struggle with imports is at the end of the season, in October the Dutch have been known to say 'if you don't take our fruit now, you won't get it in November' and by that time we are right at the end of production and quality may not be as high as in the summer months."
The Easter weekend can bolster demand, but this can be countered by people going away for the weekend. "What does increase demand is the sunshine, and it is sunny just now. We are getting a nice mix of warm days and cold nights, which is great for the fruit. There is quite a bit of confidence that we will have a good season, though, as the winter and spring have been kind. Volumes will be good, we may see an oversupply in July, but hopefully not as many peaks as last year. Demand for imported fruit was good over the winter, which sets it up nicely for the domestic season."
Raspberries
Chris expects raspberries to go well this season too, and reckons production levels will be up on last year.
"A lot is happening in the breeding sector just now, and there are some good new varieties available, both IP and open varieties. Demand also seems to be better."
For more information:
Chris Rose
Asplins Producer Organisation
Tel: +44 1795 594811
Email: commercial@asplinspo.com