The UK soft-fruit industry has enjoyed a strong first half of the season with raspberry sales particularly buoyant and growers recouping losses from the disastrous 2008 season.

Despite difficult trading conditions the strawberry market has grown by 13 per cent, while raspberry volumes increased by 24 per cent on 2008.

Blackberries also enjoyed strong growth by 78 per cent in the UK. Marketing company Berry Gardens reported its parent co-operative KG Growers (KGG) has increased production from 88 tonnes in 2008 to 188t in 2009

Nicholas Marston, managing director of Berry Gardens, told a press conference at East Malling’s Fruit Focus on Wednesday, that overall UK sales of strawberries were good despite a fall in organic and premium sales.

Marston said: “Retailers have been very supportive this year with some considerable footage given to berries and a high level of promotional activity undertaken, which has resulted in an excellent level of sales given the challenging economic climate.

“We expected to see some considerable difference in the market with greater offering of budget strawberries offered by retailers but, in the event, their sales have been fairly modest and at a lower level than anticipated. Overall, strawberry volumes have been static year on year, masking the effect of an early season, which allowed promotions to start earlier, meaning prices have been higher on a like for like basis.

“Sales of high value lines, such as premium strawberries and organic fruit have suffered a setback in 2008/09 after the heady ride of 2006/07. Although, overall, premium market has fallen by 10 per cent this year, sales of Driscoll Jubilee have been much better and risen by 17 per cent over the last year.

Marston said KGG blueberry production, initiated in 2004, was looking promising, currently producing 12t a week from 40 hectares. Raspberries are benefiting from a consistency in volume from last spring to autumn.

“With the UK government finally turning its attention to food security, it is great that we have 95 per cent self-sufficiency in the berry market and double the annual per capita consumption compared to Europe,” he added.

KGG chairman Marion Regan reported growers are benefiting from a number of varietal trials and breeding programmes throughout the soft-fruit range.

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