Raspberries are now entering peak cropping season following a scorching summer, according to British Summer Fruits (BSF)
BSF says the hot weather this summer is likely to extend the raspberry season into the year while sales have already grown on last year’s tally.
Raspberries have been one of the best performing fruits recently, becoming a £270 million market in June. The value of the raspberry market has grown by 12 per cent in the past year with more than 25,000 tonnes of raspberries sold in the UK.
Growing awareness of their health benefits, especially regarding blood and vascular function is helping to drive sales.
Dr Emma Derbyshire, British Summer Fruits’ public health nutritionist, said:“Raspberries are a powerful source of nutrients including vitamin C, manganese, dietary fibre and polyphenols which are thought to have potent antioxidant properties.
“There is a growing body of evidence that raspberries could have a valuable role to play in helping to maintain health, including being part of a heart healthy diet. Their mechanisms are in need of further study but it is thought that their consumption may help to maintain or re-establish “normal” cellular or tissue function.”
