season at Angus Soft Fruit started back in early May, a week earlier than last year.John Gray explained that this was due to good temperatures, higher than average this season. "It was a mild winter, we have had some showers but yields have been up and the percentage of class I berries is up."
Last year ASF introduced a new premium strawberry variety, AVA Rosa. Gray said this was going well this season with larger areas planted. "The strawberry crop is now at it's peak and we are all looking forward to the Wimbledon fortnight.
Strawberry sales in the UK traditionally increase during Wimbledon which begins next week, in addition to this if the weather is good retailers can factor in a 30% increase in sales.
There has been a lot of speculation as to weather there would be enough workers around to harvest fruit this season in the UK after the SAWS scheme was scrapped. Gray comments, "As with other growers we did see value in the SAWS scheme and are very concerned about its removal although it hasn’t affected labour as yet however this could change in the coming years."
