The British raspberry season last year got off to a good start, and people in the UK were able to enjoy larger and sweeter fruit thanks to a warmer and more stable spring.
British raspberries last year were bigger and sweeter thanks to a warmer and more stable spring. Last year alone, Britons purchased more than 12,500 tons of domestically produced raspberries. Growers had anticipated strong availability for the early season, with 65 percent more British raspberries filling supermarket shelves than at the same time the previous year, when the weather had been poorer.
The spring of 2022 was the fifth warmest on record in the United Kingdom, thanks largely to record overnight temperatures, and while Britons enjoyed the mild weather, so did the raspberries. Ambient temperatures throughout the month provided optimal conditions for growing berries, allowing the fruit to ripen to perfection and achieve maximum flavor and size.
Nick Marston, president of British Berry Growers, the trade body for the British berry industry, said, "Raspberries are a versatile and delicious British food, and the coming season looks great for consumers. The warmer and earlier start to spring has been ideal for young raspberry plants and the recent weather is just right to produce an excellent crop.
The British raspberry market is now worth more than 364 million pounds a year. The British berry market is now worth more than 1.6 billion pounds, a value that has doubled in just a decade.
"The British raspberry industry has experienced substantial growth in recent years thanks to the hard work and expertise of British growers. The introduction of substrate growing systems and the development of new varieties are excellent examples of this, and the results of this innovation can now be enjoyed by Britons."
The main varieties grown in the UK today can fruit for up to five months, compared to traditional varieties that typically produced fruit for only four to six weeks. The extended fruiting period means that everyone can now enjoy UK-grown raspberries from the beginning of June until the end of October.
These fruits are rich in nutrients and vitamins and have high antioxidant power, making them a perfect addition to the diet. Not only that, but they can also contribute to bone health, while some studies have shown that eating raspberries can also help prevent diabetes.
Source: Grocery Trader
