The first English raspberries are coming on stream thanks to pioneering work by Chris Tirrell, a KG grower.
Tirrell has developed early Tulameen raspberry production from his glasshouse site in Oakington, Cambridgeshire, with the first of the fruit arriving at the end of March.
The first sendings went to the French Garden in New Covent Garden Market at the beginning of April, and fetched strong prices, a KG spokesman said.
The canes are being grown in five litre pots and were bought into the glasshouse on January 10.
Other varieties also started include a number of Driscoll selections that are now being grown more extensively across the KG grower base as part of the exclusivity agreements held with Driscolls.
The spokesman said: “Chris Tirrell only recently joined KG Fruits and brings with him, not only huge enthusiasm and drive, but also the experience of growing tomatoes for 42 years.
“Chris grows 3.2 hectares of raspberries and will be producing raspberries from March until Christmas. He plans to significantly expand his production over the coming years and capitalise on the expanding market and the gaps in UK production.”
