“In 2004 we announced our blueberry initiative at Fruit Focus and here we are, some five years on, with the UK blueberry season underway in reasonable volume,” said Nick Marston, Managing Director of Berry Gardens Ltd at Fruit Focus, held at East Malling Research on Wednesday 21st July.
“We have a substantial area in blueberry production now,” said Marion Regan, Chairman of Berry Gardens Growers Ltd and its marketing subsidiary, “and we have great seasonal spread; from English glasshouse grown fruit in June to a substantial area now being grown in Scotland for the late season market, which is under supplied.”
Nick Marston believes that British blueberries should be considered a premium product. “They are from young bushes and new plantings, of the best varieties, freshly picked and grown close to market,” he said. “We have the advantage of being as close as you can be to our market, so they can be picked a little more mature and deliver excellent eating quality.”
Stone fruit
Nick Marston also expects a bumper crop of English cherries this year and commented that there has been good retailer support for English cherries this summer.
The area down to cherries within Berry Gardens is still increasing in both Kent and Herefordshire.
“The majority is tunneled thanks to the co-operative’s Operational Programme, which draws support from the EU Fruit & Vegetable Regime,” said Marion Regan.
“As a result of new plantings and improved agronomy, we will sell substantially more English cherries this year compared to last year,” reported Nick Marston.
In respect of plums, which have not yet started being harvested, Nick Marston believes that there is again another big crop coming. He commented that after last years’ difficulties there is much more retailer support promised for English plums this season, which augurs well for UK plum growers.
For further details, please contact:
Managing Director - Nicholas Marston
Office telephone - 01892 838800
Mobile - 07831 268286
Email - nmarston@berrygardens.co.uk
Chairman - Marion Regan
Office telephone - 01622 812229
Mobile - 07850 295670
Email - marion.regan@hlf.co.uk |