Overview
- About 5,133 tonnes of blueberries are projected by the end of August, up from 4,187 tonnes at the same point last year
- Retail sales of blueberries are running 9% ahead of last year as the larger, more flavorful fruit reaches shelves sooner
- Growers say the warm, dry conditions have produced berries with more uniform ripening and extended shelf life
- New high-yield varieties are boosting berry size and resilience under the early spring conditions
- British Berry Growers reports similar year-on-year gains of about 25% for strawberries, raspberries and blackberries