As with the other soft fruit this season, the raspberry harvest started a bit later in the UK due the weather.
“Although demand has been good, yields have not been strong, but they are starting to come through now,” explains Edward Velasco from Rodanto. “We are now starting to get some steady weather which is bringing the fruit on and the quality is good.”
As well as growing various varieties including the Kwanza, Rodanto are trialling a few new varieties at the moment: Malling Bella, Malling Charm and three new Italian varieties Optima, Clarita and Eros.
“The new varieties are fairing well, it is important to keep pushing new varieties, we also trial several varieties in Spain and Morocco to test them in different climates helping us to better understand how they produce.
“The raspberry season will continue through until early November, but any sudden change in temperature is likely to shorten the season.”
Blueberries are still leading the charge in the soft fruit market as far demand is concerned; raspberries sales continue to increase.
For more information:
Edward Velasco
Rodanto Ltd
Tel: +44 (0)208 150 3044
edward@rodanto.co.uk
www.rodanto.co.uk