English summer-fruit producers are increasingly serious about adding blueberries to their range. Summerfruit Company (SFC) growers Charles and Mark Gaskain and Craig Williamson took advantage of an invitation issued at Fruit Focus in July from fellow SFC producer and the UK’s leading blueberry grower, David Trehane, to visit The Dorset Blueberry Company’s plantations at Hampreston.
The Trehanes have been growing blueberries since 1958, and claim to have the first commercial plantations in Europe. David Trehane supplies Marks & Spencer and has 18 acres under production, with plans to plant a further 10 this winter. These will include new varieties that crop later to extend the UK season a further month into September.
Trehane has commercial growing experience, imports and grows young plants and is planning to set up a full-scale consultancy to help boost the industry. His optimism is reinforced by Ian Waller, SFC sales manager, who reports that demand for blueberries from every source has boomed over the last few months, increasing by more than 50 per cent and still rising.
Waller has also stressed, in SFC’s industry newsletter, that importers must ensure quality standards are maintained as more fruit is attracted to the UK, so consumers are not disappointed.
The returns from blueberry growing of around £7,000 an acre are similar to those for raspberries, said Trehane, and bushes are capable of production for 40 years. But, plant establishment on acidic soil can take four years, and there is a waiting list of a year for plants, such is the international demand.
No comments yet