A leading Kent berry grower told last week’s Oxford Farming Conference that she is committed to continued growth for her products in a market expanding by more than 11 per cent a year.
Marion Regan, pictured right, of Hugh Lowe Farms, has a turnover in excess of £8 million and produces over 300t of raspberries and 2,000t of strawberries annually. With husband Jon, she farms a total of 1,300 acres, about 25 per cent of which is under soft fruit at any one time. She told delegates from all walks of the food and drink sector that through new techniques, and particularly polytunnels, the berry growing season has been extended from four to 26 weeks.
Her company has every confidence in the long-term future of the soft-fruit category. “We are close to 15 million consumers in London and the South East, which is a strong marketing plus,” said Regan, who is also now chairman of KG Growers (KGG), the co-owner of BerryGardens. She added that supermarkets have kept the industry competitive with exacting and stringent standards - raising the bar annually for the last 20 years.
UK berry growers require progressive marketing arrangements, such as KGG, in order to group together effectively to identify the most profitable target markets, she added. They also need recognition and support from national, local and European politicians, particularly in the fields of research, seasonal worker issues, employment legislation and water use.
“I want to continue growing berries here. We have a world-class industry and we wish to continue being part of it,” she said.
