Harvesting of UK-grown cranberries begins in the next few weeks with output expected to climb following successful trials last year.
Redeva, the research and development division of stone- and soft-fruit specialist Total Worldfresh, is building on its initial success in 2011. Agronomist Peter Bevan has taken advice from Canada, and visited Latvia and Belarus, where fruit is grown using the traditional method of harvesting by flooding cranberry bogs so the ripe berries float to the surface.
However, in the UK Bevan has been working to develop dry harvesting so the crop can be picked easily in a similar fashion to strawberries to make UK cranberry production a sustainable business.
Another bonus is that quality is enhanced. Rupert Carter, technical director at Total Berry warned that imported wet fruit often has to be re-graded when it arrives reducing shelf life and freshness.
Carter said: “It is great for picking costs, but the fruit can go soft and breaks down after a few weeks. The cheapest way to ship is by sea freight which adds an extra couple of weeks before it gets to the consumer.”
At Redeva’s trial site at Mockbeggar in north Kent, the potted plants on raised tables also come into production far quicker.
Bevan said: “Traditionally cranberries take a long time to establish, but we estimate that our technology halves this time to three years.
“We hope more of Total Berry’s growers will have the opportunity to become part of this innovative industry.”
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