British strawberries sales success despite wet Summer
37,978 tonnes of home-grown fruit has been sold through UK supermarkets by members of British Summer Fruits, the industry crop association, compared to 37,966 tonnes supplied this time last year.
Nearly all British strawberries supplied to UK supermarkets are grown under protective covers which have safeguarded the crop from this summer’s unseasonably wet weather.
Strawberries actually prefer and benefit from developing in cooler temperatures which produce more flavourful and juicier fruit.
This summer’s patriotic events, The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympics, encouraged peaks in consumption.
UK supermarkets have been stocking 100% home-grown strawberries since April and will do so until the season ends in early October. The industry is expecting to exceed total 2011 production of 49,591 tonnes.
In seven years total berry sales have more than doubled rising from £342m in 2004, to £761.1m in 2011[1]. The home-grown soft fruit market is worth £277m.
In 2011, 4,969 hectares of strawberries were grown in the UK, up 45% since 2001.