Blueberry producers in the England are expecting to send record volumes of fruits to retail shelves this year, a recent report has stated.
According to Hall Hunter, growers of 30 per cent of the UK’s British blueberries, this season, which started in early June and will run to late September, is set to offer “sweeter than ever” fruit thanks to sunny weather.
“British blueberries have long been overlooked and I am delighted that here at Hall Hunter we have beaten our growing record to date, and this year will have 2,000 tons available for sale," Harry Hall, managing partner of Hall Hunter said.
The start to the UK deal was delayed by one week due to stormy weather, Harry Hall, managing partner of Hall Hunter said. But subsequent warm and sunny days have increased brix levels, meaning the fruit is expected to taste “sweeter than ever”.
Last year, Brits consumed 5,000 tons of blueberries worth over £500 million to the UK economy. Worth some £481m, the UK blueberry market continues to grow, Hall added, and with it demand for home-grown fruit.
Hall Hunter wishes to increase its production by 30 per cent and they know their competitive advantage lies in their proximity to British retailers, Fresh Produce Journal reported.
The UK has a year-round supply of blueberries, but 90 per cent of the fruit gets imported from around the globe, especially from Poland and Chile.
”With 45,000 tonnes imported from abroad, in particular Poland and Chile, Hall Hunter alone wants to increase its crop 30 per cent year-on-year and thanks to its abundant supply, make British blueberries the sole choice for supermarkets and buyers between June and September,” he said.
”With the average British blueberry travelling a mere 100 miles to shelf, compared to their imported counterparts travelling up to almost 7,000 miles they are light on the planet. Moreover, their short commute delivers maximum taste thanks to their freshness, which delivers the perfect blueberry bite; crisp on the outside and juicy and sweet on the inside."
