The English strawberry season got off to a slow start and is still running behind schedule due to continued colder than average weather.
“The strawberry crop is around 10 days behind,” said Chris Rose, Commercial Controller at Asplins Producer Organisation. “The Scottish season is more on track which may cause oversupply later in the season.”
According to Chris the glasshouse crop is tailing off and volumes are building in the tunnels.
“The fruit is looking very good, the cooler temperatures give good-sized and good-quality berries. Demand is also good due the shorter supply and imported Spanish fruit is looking a bit tired.”
The glasshouse raspberry season is about to start, they don’t need as much sunshine as strawberries so the timing of the season should be normal.
Asplins supplies mostly retail customers and Chris doesn’t think the opening of the hospitality sector will affect demand there. “In fact with overseas travel still limited we will see more staycations which will increase demand.”
There have been many concerns about the labor supply in the UK this season, at the moment Chris said they have enough to pick the crop, but it is just another added layer of uncertainty for growers.
“It can look like you have enough pickers on paper but until they actually turn up you just don’t know. This year many workers have pre-settled status so it will be relatively easy for them to come back, but the extra paperwork might deter some when it’s easier to go to European countries, but the fact that our vaccination program is going so well may encourage people to come here.”
For more information:
Chris Rose
Asplins Producer Organisation
Tel: +44 1795 594811
Email: commercial@asplinspo.com