Soft Fruit
First British strawberries are available a week earlier than usual, with growers on the outskirts of Cardiff one step ahead of the rest
As a result of a generally mild winter; growers have produced the first British strawberries – a week earlier than usual.
These berries, on their way to retailers such as Tesco across the UK, also mark the first time ever that Wales has successfully produced the UK’s earliest strawberries, ahead of the likes of Kent, Sussex and Hampshire.
The variety of these early season Welsh-grown strawberries, grown in the Rhymney Valley, near Cardiff, is called ‘Driscoll’s Lusa’ and have been selected because of their consistent, sweet taste.
The Northern Ireland Soft Fruit Growers Association (NISFGA) will represent the needs and interests of members
Northern Ireland’s first-ever soft fruit association has been formed.
The Northern Ireland Soft Fruit Growers Association (NISFGA) will represent the needs and interests of members, as well as helping growers develop and improve their operations.
The Northern Irish soft fruit sector’s output is currently valued at £700,000 per annum, which, although small in comparison to the apple-dominated top fruit sector, shows the category’s burgeoning potential.
NISFGA plans to promote a Love Local campaign and offer a range of services to members.
The association is currently in consultation with growers and government officials to determine the needs of the sector and how it can be supported.
NISFGA came about from a project supported by the Supply Chain Development Programme, where six growers met regularly to share information and advice.
Soft fruit production in Northern Ireland is dominated by strawberries (184 tonnes), followed by raspberries (19.9 tonnes) and gooseberries (9 tonnes).