Research and innovation for a reslient British berry industry
British berry growers invest collectively in research that helps farms produce high-quality fruit responsibly, efficiently and sustainably.
Through grower-funded research, industry collaboration and external partnerships, British Berry Growers supports practical work in crop resilience, biological controls, biodiversity, productivity and emerging technologies. Our programme combines longer-term innovation with the monitoring and evidence growers need to respond to immediate industry challenges.
Detailed technical findings and recommendations are shared directly with BBG members. On this page, you can see where growers’ levy investment is being directed, how projects are progressing and the benefits the programme aims to deliver.
R&D at a glance
During 2025/26, British Berry Growers:
- Invested approximately £284,000 in research and development activity
- Supported research, monitoring and practical trials across the UK
- Secured £100,000 of external funding for biological-control research
- Issued regular monitoring reports and technical updates to growers
- Worked with growers, researchers and industry partners to turn research into practical solutions
Our programme is designed to make growers’ collective investment go further. Wherever possible, we collaborate with other crop associations, research organisations, government and commercial partners to attract additional funding and share expertise.
Our research priorities
Protecting crops responsibly
We support the evidence, monitoring and regulatory work needed to give growers access to effective and responsible crop-protection solutions.
This includes working through Horticulture Crop Protection Ltd on biological controls, biopesticides, emergency authorisations and extensions of authorisation for minor uses. This work is particularly important for specialist crops such as berries, where the commercial market for developing new products can be comparatively small.
Developing biological and nature-based solutions
A growing part of our programme examines how beneficial insects, biodiversity and other biological approaches can help protect berry crops.
Our research is testing promising solutions under commercial growing conditions, helping to establish whether they are effective, practical and suitable for wider adoption by growers.
Improving productivity and working practices
R&D is not limited to crop protection. We also support work that can improve productivity, operational efficiency and working practices on berry farms.
Current research includes applying principles from sports science to fruit picking, with the aim of developing practical guidance for growers and their teams.
Preparing for future risks
Monitoring helps the industry identify and respond to emerging risks at an early stage. It also provides evidence that can support responsible crop-protection decisions and future research priorities.
BBG works with growers and research partners across the country to build a clearer picture of changing crop risks and the beneficial insects already present on UK farms.
How growers’ levy investment is used
Growers’ R&D levy supports a balanced programme of immediate and longer-term work, including:
Commissioned research and commercial trials
We commission targeted research into challenges and opportunities identified as priorities by berry growers.
Crop-protection evidence and authorisations
BBG is a member of Horticulture Crop Protection (HCP) Ltd. HCP is a collaboration of all major crop associations. It delivers crop protection products including EAMUs (Extension Authorisations for Minor Use) and EAs (Emergency Authorisations), biological controls and biopesticides to meet the Integrated Crop Protection (IPM) needs of UK growers.
Monitoring and early warning
National monitoring programmes provide timely intelligence for growers and evidence to support industry and regulatory decisions.
Knowledge sharing
Research only creates value when growers can apply it. Findings are shared through technical updates, grower guides, videos, demonstrations and the annual BBG Growers’ Technical Day.
What our R&D programme is delivering
During 2026, BBG-funded and supported activity has:
- Continued national monitoring and improved the format of grower risk updates
- Started biological-control trials on commercial berry farms
- Extended emerging-risk monitoring across production regions in England, Wales and Scotland
- Built on the discovery of beneficial insects not previously recorded in parts of the UK
- Secured external funding to increase the value of growers’ collective investment
- Begun on-farm research into picker performance and working practices
- Developed practical grower guidance, videos and demonstration activities
- Contributed evidence to government discussions about the future availability of crop-protection products
We will update this summary as projects reach important milestones and new findings become available.
Detailed information for BBG members
BBG members receive more detailed technical information through:
- Regular crop-monitoring updates
- R&D technical newsletters
- The Berry Bulletin
- Grower guides and videos
- Project demonstrations
- The annual BBG Growers’ Technical Day
Some detailed findings, including live monitoring information and technical crop-management recommendations, are provided exclusively to members.
Are you a BBG member looking for the latest R&D update?
Please refer to your most recent member communication or contact the R&D team at research@britishberrygrowers.org.uk.
British Berry Growers’ Sustainability Report 2025
Our first Sustainability Report provides the most comprehensive picture to date of how British berry growers are reducing their environmental impact while building a productive and resilient industry.
Based on a survey covering 56% of UK berry production, it examines progress across ten areas, including water stewardship, carbon and energy, biodiversity, biological crop protection, plastics and food waste, plant breeding and digital technology.
The findings demonstrate substantial investment and innovation across the sector. Every grower surveyed has a water-efficiency plan, 96% are taking action to reduce plastic use and 91% have adopted digital technologies. The report also identifies where further progress, investment and industry collaboration are needed.
Explore the key findings in the full Sustainability Report.
Working with us
We welcome opportunities to collaborate with growers, researchers, businesses, government bodies and other organisations whose work aligns with the needs of the UK soft-fruit sector.
We are particularly interested in practical, scientifically robust proposals that address an identified industry priority and have a clear route to adoption on commercial farms.
To discuss a research idea, collaboration or funding opportunity, contact the BBG R&D team at research@britishberrygrowers.org.uk.