Many wholesale markets have seen best-quality strawberry supplies tighten this week. KG Fruits md Nick Marston said:“The supermarkets have been absorbing most of what is on offer.” Prices strengthened on Glasgow market by 25 per cent week on week to 150p for 500g, and elsewhere a lack of good quality UK supplies saw prices for Belgian fruit at 250p for the same weight on New Covent Garden.
Steady heat in July reduced everbearer yield,” explained Marston. “It is difficult to give an accurate overview as the situation is widely variable from grower to grower.”
The situation is expected to be in better balance next week as traditionally demand falls away after the August bank holiday, Marston forecasts.
Whereas the July weather has had an adverse effect on some strawberry plants, raspberries seem to have enjoyed the heatwave, he said. “Primocane fruit is starting a little early and we are getting good volumes now starting to replace maincrop supplies,” said Marston. “Yields are looking good in general.”
Meanwhile, the Victoria plum season is starting considerably later than in a normal year. “The season is about a week to 10 days behind, so we will not be starting in volume until next week,” concluded Marston.
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