The Co-operative Farms is planning to set up a soft-fruit site in Kent or Cambridgeshire within the next 12 months.
The retailer’s growing arm aims to build on its soft-fruit production at two commercial farms, one at the Blairgowrie Estate in Scotland and the other with a partner grower in Herefordshire, alongside production at Highland Court Farms in Kent.
The Co-operative is marking the peak of the home-grown soft-fruit season by stocking 100 per cent British strawberries and expanding its berry production.
Together, the commercial ventures produce 1,700 tonnes of strawberries for The Co-op each year and this is complemented by supplies from other UK growers, to provide 6,000t of UK strawberries each year.
The retailer is trialling a number of Italy-based CIV varieties including Capri for the first time this year and is testing two numbered varieties from Angus Soft Fruits for the second year.
The group officially launched its strawberry season on Monday, backed by ITV weather presenter Becky Mantin.
The fruit is on promotion in stores on a three-for-£5 offer across the soft-fruit category.
David Gardner, head of fruit at The Co-operative Farms, said: “During the British season, we seek to supply from the British market. We work together [with the retail arm] to try to anticipate when we will have a flush of fruit. However, promotions have to be planned in advance - weeks if not months - but production can change and interfere with the best laid plans of mice and men.”
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