The first samples of Jordanian strawberries have arrived by air in the UK, with receiver Total Berry saying the country will add an earlier dimension to the start of the winter season.
Rupert Carter, the company's technical director, welcomed the news after what he said had been one of the most difficult European strawberry seasons on record.
The Jordanian fruit is reportedly already showing promise. Offering what Carter describes as 'excellent' flavour, the berries will be available from the middle of October right up to Christmas, with the potential even to extend the campaign beyond the holiday period.
Tim Morton, who manages Total Berry's research and development unit Redeva, has been working over the past three years to develop Jordan as a source of strawberries, growing a selection of varieties bred at the University of California.
Grown on two-tier, coir substrate-filled troughs in high tunnels, the expectation is that yields will more than double this season, creating the possibility for Jordan to eventually become a major supplier to the UK market.
