Heat is berry good news for fruit fans
SHOP shelves are bulging with a bumper crop of British raspber- ries – thanks to last month’s heat.
Peak production has just started, later than usual, after the hottest June in history, say growers.
The popular berry is historically a forest plant which thrives in warm, shady environments.
To ripen, raspberries need consistent temperatures and partial cloud cover which was lacking last month.
But a return to average temperatures plus mixed spells forecast for July has created ideal conditions for particularly large and juicy raspberries. Crop specialists have developed robust types to withstand higher temperatures.
Breeding experiments using varieties from places such as the Mediterranean and California are under way to create new crops that can thrive in Britain if temperatures continue to rise.
The berry industry is worth £1.7billion in retail sales a year and is estimated to contribute £3.18billion to the economy over the next five years. Fresh strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries continue to be the most popular fruit items in shoppers’ baskets, making up 28 per cent of all fruit sold in the UK, according to analysts Kantar.
Nick Marston, chairman of trade body British Berry Growers which represents firms supplying 95 per cent of berries to our supermarkets, said: “A break in record hot June weather has given way to warm conditions under partial cloud cover – ideal for the gradual ripening of raspberries. This enables the fruit to grow particularly large and juicy with bumper crops due throughout July.
“Raspberries continue to be a favourite among Brits and their versatility makes them a staple in many households.”
Nick added: “Advanced cultivation means that British raspberries should available on supermarket shelves well into November and maybe December. That’s brilliant news for consumers, farmers and the economy.”