Please find below all of the latest news from British Berry Growers.
If you would like more information, please contact Sunny Side Up Comms on 07966 521779 or britishberrygrowers@sunnysideupcomms.co.uk
New grower audit reveals underlying fears despite strong 2025 crop An audit conducted among more than 40 of Britain’s leading berry growers shows an industry at a crossroads with some reporting improving confidence while others share increased pessimism. ...
London, UK: 16 September 2025: British Berry Growers (BBG), the organisation representing 95% of the UK’s commercial soft fruit growers, has today published its Sustainability Report 2025, showcasing how the industry is leading the way in sustainable farming...
For immediate release: British blackberry season is underway and thriving, as UK growers encourage consumers to consider the ‘unsung heroes’ of the berry world more often, with the category showing huge growth potential. British Berry Growers, the industry body...
British Berry Growers, together with the NFU (National Farmers' Union), have co-signed a letter to the Secretary of State, Rt Hon Steve Reed MP, urging the government to support increased fruit and vegetable growth across the UK, a crucial step in addressing the...
We see ongoing domestic market growth driven by consumers moving away, at scale, from UPFs (like sweetened breakfast cereals and sticky sugary cereal bars) in to fresh, healthy fruit. This won’t change – it’s not a fad or a fashion. The British climate means we are...
Every child deserves to start the day nourished, focused, and ready to learn. That’s why we’ve launched the National Children’s Breakfast Charter. This is about more than food - it’s about giving every child a strong start to their day. A recent survey commissioned by...
Parents are concerned about the quality of their children’s school breakfasts saying that they often fall short of providing the essential nutrients needed for a healthy and productive start to the day, according to new research. Despite 78% of parents admitting...
British strawberries are set to be sweeter and more shapely this season owing to unusually high sunshine levels1, which are the highest recorded in over 100 years according to the Met Office. This spring has also seen exceptional pollination activity during March and...
We are in favour of the proposed Horticulture Sector Regulation, as we strongly believe that the current GSCOP framework does not adequately address the range of issues we are facing. A key advantage of the proposed regulation is its ability to apply across the entire...
British Berry Growers (BBG), the industry association for the growers of 95% of UK berry production, says the industry is facing ‘very real headwinds’. Launching a new in-depth industry analysis and report by EY, The British berry industry in focus, the association’s...
As the winter nights continue to bite and the flurry of winter illnesses shows no sign of slowing, people are looking for mood-boosting foods to help pack their plates with a healthy hit. Fresh berries , including strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and...
British berry growers have warned of a tough year ahead as rising energy costs and wage increases continue to create challenging circumstances for fruit farmers in 2025. 85 percent of British growers previously recorded declines or a stagnation in revenue over a...
Background
BBG members make up the biggest crop group in UK horticulture, accounting for circa 30,000 of the Seasonal Workers’ Scheme (SWS) visas. Workers are generally based on one location for the period of employment in the UK – which is different to other short season crops within UK horticulture.
Despite resilience in the face of tough market conditions, berry growers have increasing concerns over the future of their industry, with nearly half of growers no longer profitable.
Co-op has been crowned retailer of the year by British Berry Growers at the crop association’s yearly retailer event in London.
Amidst the huge consumer demand for British berries there is concern over the industry’s viability with spiralling production costs and low retailer returns
British shop-bought blackberries are larger and sweeter than hedgerow varieties.
Grower techniques ensure that British blackberries are available from April until November, enjoying a 36-week season.
The berry industry is now worth £1.7 billion in retail sales year-round1 and is estimated to contribute £3.18 billion to the UK economy in the next five years.2
Pollination plans have helped create a robust British blueberry crop this year that has withstood the unseasonal weather.
Peak production is now underway (w/c 21 August).
The berry industry is now worth £1.7 billion in retail sales year-round1 and is estimated to contribute £3.18 billion to the UK economy in the next five years.2
Lidl tops the chart of major retailers as the most supportive of British berries, followed by Co-op, Aldi and Waitrose.
Asda is bottom of the list, just below Sainsbury’s, Iceland and Tesco – all buying significantly fewer British berries compared to their total grocery market shares.
Peak British raspberry season begins this week and will continue throughout July.
Unlike strawberries – which like sunny, clear skies – raspberries thrive under partial cloud cover.
Modern varieties and growing techniques mean that Brits will be able to enjoy great quality British raspberries through to December, weather permitting.
The berry industry is now worth £1.7 billion in retail sales year-round1 and is estimated to contribute £3.18 billion to the UK economy in the next five years.2
A cooler than average April and May means that the nation can expect to enjoy bigger and juicier strawberries than previous years due to a slower ripening period.
Last year Brits bought over 12,500 tonnes of British-grown raspberries
The iconic British fruit will be filling supermarket shelves in mid-May compared to June last year.
41% of Brits have become more open to talking about sex in the last decade.
For soft fruit production – principally strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries – labour is the most significant cost, typically representing 40-60% of all expenditure.
The National Farmers Union, the British Growers Association, British Berry Growers and British Apples and Pears have jointly instructed John Pelham of Andersons Midlands to prepare a report on the potential implications of Covid-19 for UK fruit and vegetable growers’ costs of production in 2020.
The Anderson Report.