The strawberry harvest got off to a late start in most regions of the UK, this was also the case in Hampshire which is normally one of the earliest producing areas.
“It was an exceptionally late for us this year, normally in a late season, picking would start a couple of weeks later, but this year we were delayed 3-4 weeks in some of the fields. We had the lowest light levels on record,” said Sandy Booth, CEO of the New Forest Fruit Company.
“The weather did get better, but we, like all growers, are still playing catch up. Being one of the earliest growers usually gives us an advantage, and the first berries of the season are always the most profitable, but we lost that advantage this year.”
It is always a worry in an unusual season that the market will become oversupplied, but according to Sandy, it has all gone a bit quiet.
“The weather is still difficult, but we are now seeing the start of the second flush, but the plants are still suffering from the conditions earlier in the year. Demand traditionally goes up for the Wimbledon fortnight but tends to drop off significantly the following week and takes a few weeks to build up again. It is like people think the strawberry season ends when Wimbledon is over.”
As for the weather: 20 degrees and more rain is forecast, but a heatwave could be on the cards for the end of July.
This year sees a first for the New Forest Fruit Company and for the UK snack industry as they launch New Forest Fruit Snacks.
“We have combined two specialist processes to achieve dried fruit pieces that hold their shape, nutrients, and flavor,” explains Sandy. “This snack is grown, processed, and packaged on our farm, so it has zero food miles, and the packaging is 100% biodegradable.”
Photo copyright: The Electric Eye Photography
Sandy is always looking for ways to reduce waste and promote sustainability and has been working on this new snack for four years after he came across the process of pulse-drying fruit. Pulse drying removes all the water from the fruit so that when it is freeze-dried, it maintains its shape while holding in the flavor and nutrients.
“The snack can be eaten straight from the pack, or it can be added to soft drinks, sparkling wine or gin and tonics, anything really. It can also be used as a garnish. We are excited about this new product which has already received a lot of interest from retailers, chefs, and customers.”
For more information:
Jackie Barr
New Forest Fruit Company
Tel.: +44 (0)1590 612297
jackie@newforestfruit.com
www.newforestfruit.com