Fresh cranberry imports into the UK have been growing by around 30% year on year, and this year will be no exception, with demand from retailers, wholesalers, and food service increasing as the category grows.
Fruit World International is one of the main cranberry importers in the UK. The company represents the berries from Habelman Bros, based in Wisconsin, US. Habelman Bros. is one of the world's largest growers of fresh cranberries, and part of the Cranberry Cooperatives of the Americas (CCA), along with L&S, Quebec, Canada.
© Fruit World International Ltd
"This year we will be importing only US cranberries as the weather in Canada has not been favourable and we need to have high-quality berries with a long shelf life," commented Jon Clark, Managing Director of Fruit World International. "The growth in the fresh cranberry sector in the UK has been fantastic, and we will import 30% more than we did last year. We only import cranberries specially grown for the fresh market, which is the key reason that we source solely from Habelman Bros., who grow purely for the fresh market. With good growing conditions, they use fewer pesticides. They also harvest the berries differently, whereas traditionally the cranberry fields are flooded in around 3ft of water and the berries are detached from the vine to float on the top for harvest, Habelman only uses around 6-8 inches of water, which is enough to float the berries but not detach them. They are harvested using a combing method which lifts the berries out of the water, so there is no exposure to water, and the need for fungicide is considerably reduced."
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With our bulk product, the berries are then graded before being stored in bins. They are graded again before being packed and again on arrival in the UK. Jon believes this attention to the quality of the product has done a lot to increase demand. It also increases shelf life in stores and at home. We also pack polybags in the Hableman brand on select varieties that also have the two-stage grading process. The business is focused on delivering high-quality fresh cranberries, which is what has made Habelman Bros arguably the largest fresh cranberry grower in the world.
© Fruit World International Ltd
This year will see the earliest ever arrivals of fresh cranberries into the UK. "Cranberries are no longer just for Christmas; people are using them in smoothies, salads, and also for decoration, so we are seeing demand starting to build in October. We will have our first arrivals today (8th October), and we will have regular weekly arrivals into December."
© Fruit World International Ltd
"We could go on through January. If people are buying them in October, why not in January and February?" This niche berry category is very small in comparison to other berries, but offers the potential for further growth.
For more information:
Jon Clark
Fruit World International
Tel: +44 (0) 7525 668880
[email protected]
www.fruitworld.co.uk
