British berry growers are calling on supermarkets to pay “fair and reasonable price”, warning that if returns to British berry growers don’t improve, they will be forced to reduce the volume of soft fruit they produce.
Farmers’ association British Berry Growers has complained of widening inflation gap between retailers and growers, saying that retailers “seem to be looking after themselves” and are failing to increase the price they pay to growers.
“More and more, we see talk from retailers about their support for British farmers, but at a time when British growers need it most, the talk is not being reflected in reality. Retailers seem to be looking after themselves at the expense of British growers,” The trade body’s chairman, Nick Marston, said.
“If we don’t address this disconnect, British berry growers will start to reduce the numbers of berries they grow, as they are unable to make a profit.
“That’s why British Berry Growers is calling for retailers to pay a fair and sustainable price for British berries, so that we can all continue to enjoy home-grown berries in years to come.”
British berry growers have not seen a similar increase in what retailers pay them. In fact, there has been no increase in the average price retailers pay berry growers, according to British Berry Growers.
The latest BRC data shows a widening of the inflation gap between retailers and growers, which could lead to greater instability in the category. This could present a serious threat to the sustainability of the British soft fruit market, an industry worth over £1.6 billion to the UK economy, British Berry Growers said.
Figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) showed a 13.3 per cent increase in food inflation for December 2022.
To use this website you must be aged 18 years or over. Please verify your age before entering the site.
