The UK raspberry season started around 10 days late in mid-May but is now in full production. Asplins Producer Organisation has growers throughout the UK and supplies 30% of the UK’s raspberries from May until December, in a good season.
“We are now in full production,” said Chris Rose, COO at Asplins. “Traditionally, our Kent growers will be first, then we move up the country, but this season has seen an untypical spread with growers in the midlands having an earlier than usual season.”
“Quality this season is excellent, and volumes have been reasonable, but supply is currently higher than demand. It is difficult to tell if there is a general oversupply or if the cost-of-living crisis is affecting demand. There has been a small increase in acreage in recent years, new varieties and better-growing techniques have also increased production.”
Retailers are not doing so many 2-for-1 offers but are instead offering bigger packs and reducing the price per kilo, but this does reduce the returns to the growers.
“It is a bit too early to tell if it is going to be a good season or not, demand is usually good from our Scottish growers as consumers there like Scottish berries.”
Chris said that the labor supply is good at the moment, he has no complaints about the number of workers, a big challenge is that the labor is coming from so many different countries, and language can be a barrier, also there are fewer returners which can make productivity a challenge.
For more information:
Chris Rose
Asplins Producer Organisation
Tel.: +44 1795 594811
Email: commercial@asplinspo.com