Highlights
- British blueberry harvest up nearly 25% year on year, with 5,133 tonnes expected by end of August.
- Favourable weather and new varieties driving larger berries, better shelf life, and higher sales.
- Growers invest in automation to cut labour costs, with robotic harvesting expected to rise.
British blueberries are enjoying a bumper season, with growers reporting an early and abundant harvest thanks to the warmest spring on record.
Growers say the weather has produced an early crop with more and larger berries, while new varieties can bring higher yields and better resilience. About 5,133 tonnes are expected by the end of August, up significantly from almost 4,187 tonnes by the same point last year.
The strong performance comes off the back of favourable weather, new high-yielding varieties, and growing consumer demand. Sales are already tracking 9% ahead year-on-year, buoyed by increasing awareness of the fruit’s health benefits and excellent fruit quality.
The Guardian quoted Daniel Martin, the group commercial director at S&A Produce, as saying, “This blueberry season has seen a really positive early start, about two weeks ahead of schedule, thanks to strong light levels and an absence of rain.
“As a result, we’re seeing excellent fruit size and nice, even ripening across the crop. In summary, we are optimistic about the season and expect to see excellent flavour and shelf life from this year’s crop.”
The sector is also benefiting from ongoing investment in automation, with technology helping to offset rising labour costs.
Hall Hunter, one of the UK’s largest blueberry producers, now harvests 10 per cent of its crop using machines, with plans to triple this to 30 per cent by next year. The remainder is still picked by hand, particularly more delicate fruits such as strawberries and raspberries.
Blueberries are leading the sector's automation shift due to their structure and durability, positioning the fruit as a test case for broader robotic integration across soft fruit categories.
This strong blueberry season follows an equally fruitful spring for other British berries. A warm, dry May helped trigger early surpluses of strawberries, aubergines, and tomatoes.
According to Nick Marston, Chair of British Berry Growers, all UK berry crops were up by about 25 per cent by mid-summer, with “cracking weather” in June aiding ripening and volume.
For UK retailers, wholesalers, and fresh produce distributors, the early surge in berry availability presents a valuable opportunity to promote homegrown fruit with strong shelf appeal and a health-conscious edge.