Yuval, Tamar, Hadas and Yael - not a roll call but varieties of Israeli strawberries that are currently available from Agrexco.
With the first arrivals having sailed into the UK three weeks ago, Amos Orr, general manager, is happy with first impressions and said that supplies will be good as the season unfolds.
“We expect to see a 10 per cent increase on last year’s figures, the crop looks good and we anticipate great tasting fruit. Our growers have worked hard to produce a berry for the UK, both in size and taste. Yuval is a berry with a high sugar level and is a variety exclusive to Carmel. It is medium-sized, uniform in shape, quality and taste and with a longer shelf life - qualities perfect for any and every use including the catering sector,” he said.
Agrexco continues looking at ways to improve production. There are new packhouses with up-to-the-minute facilities to improve post-harvest treatment with growers investing in ultra modern equipment to ensure optimum handling. Eighty-five per cent of berries are grown under low tunnels, the remaining 15 per cent in high tunnels.
Orr said: “Demand is very good - consumers want and expect to be able to buy strawberries throughout the year without compromising taste and quality. The fruit should taste as it looks. The only downside is possible problems about price. The energy crisis has created higher transport costs and unless customers allow for this in their pricing, our growers will not get the returns necessary to be able to survive the additional expense incurred.”
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