British Berry Growers

Latest report says relationship with retailers, pressure on profitability and uncertainty about the immediate future are piling pressure on sector

The ‘underlooked’ berry is now in season and shoppers are encouraged not to ignore the nutritional value and health benefits

Dan Hawes grew up on an arable farm in Suffolk and now produces strawberry and raspberry plants for the UK fruit market with Blaise Plants, sister company to Hugh Lowe Farms, Kent. The business grows outside, under tunnels and in glasshouses and produces more than four million plants a year. The arable side includes environmental schemes, with a mix of wheat, oilseed rape, beans and barley crops

According to data from British Berry Growers, blueberry sales are already up 9% year to date, with a further 25% growth forecast by the end of the season with growers reporting exceptional fruit quality, flavour, and shelf life

In today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown looks back at the top news stories of the week, including the Chancellor's Spring Statement, the Defra Secretary facing criticism for visiting only four farms since Labour's General Election win, concerns around the end of funding for Producer Organisations within the soft fruit sector, and King Charles and the Prince of Wales out and about supporting British farming. She also looks ahead to next week, when the Farming Minister will make his first appearance before the Efra Committee to answer questions on the SFI suspension and ongoing industry concerns

Berry growers raise concerns amid funding review