Some 600 pick-your-own (PYO) farms across the UK have opened for business as many commercial farms look to diversify and find a lucrative sideline.
A survey of farmers’ market association FARMA members has revealed that most self-picked strawberries will weigh in at less than £4 per kg this year, or around £1.80 per lb. FARMA claims that PYOs compare favourably to supermarket prices which can be around £6 per kg or £2.70 per lb.
PYO strawberries, which involve minimal packaging and lack of large scale distribution, have also been championed for their green credentials.
Elsanta is currently the most popular strawberry for supermarket sales, although new cultivars like Sonata are catching up, and can be found on most PYO farms.
Symphony, Alice, Florence, Honeoye, Christine, Darlisette and Judi Bell which are also widely grown on pick-your-own farms, chosen for their fine flavour and not for their durability in transit.
Three new June-cropping strawberries will also be available this year in the shape of Figaro, Fenella and Elegance.
Many PYO farms extend the traditional June strawberry season until the autumn by planting later-cropping varieties such as Everest, Flamenco and Albion. These accompany late summer and early autumn soft- and top-fruit crops such as raspberries, blackberries and apples.
