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
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.