Strawberry warning to Scots shoppers at Asda, Tesco & M&S as experts have ‘seen nothing like it in 19 years'
UK growers have issued an alert over the strawberry crop
BERRY GOOD Strawberry warning to Scots shoppers at Asda, Tesco & M&S as experts have 'seen nothing like it in 19 years'
STRAWBERRY season is well underway in the UK as shoppers can get their hands on the popular summertime fruit.
But a warning has been issued to foodies looking to buy strawberries from retailers such as Asda, Tesco and M&S.
Advertisement
3
The scorching spring weather has provided perfect growing conditions for the fruit
Credit: Alamy
3
Shoppers have been issued a warning over a bumper crop of strawberries
Credit: Getty
The scorching spring weather has provided perfect growing conditions for the fruit.
UK growers have revealed that some strawberries have grown so big you "cannot fit them in your mouth".
Bartosz Pinkosz, the operations director at the Summer Berry Company, admitted that he has "never seen anything like it", The Guardian reports.
The strawberries being harvested this month are huge due to the warm sunny weather and cool nights.
Advertisement
Bartosz added: "We had the darkest January and February since the 70s but then the brightest March and April since 1910.
"From March onwards it was really kind of perfect for tunnel strawberries. The berries are between 10 per cent and 20 per cent larger."
The tasty berries grown at the company's farm in Colworth, West Sussex, are sold by all the major retailers.
Bartosz says that some strawberry plants are growing huge 50g berries, with the average at 30g.
Advertisement
He added: "It has been a perfect start to the strawberry season for us … I have genuinely never seen a harvest produce such large berries consistently.
"Some are supersized – growing to the size of plums or even kiwi fruits."
Wimbledon's Berry Delight
Nick Marston, the chair of the industry body British Berry Growers, said: "We're seeing very good size, shape, appearance, and most of all, really great flavour and sugar content, which is what consumers want when they buy British strawberries.
"I'm always a little cautious of saying strawberries are 20 per cent bigger because there's an average involved and some crops will be slightly smaller than others.
Advertisement
"But I think it would be fair to say the very nice sunshine, the cool overnight temperatures, are ideal for fruit development."
Tennis fans could be treated to some supersize strawberries at Wimbledon this year.
As the hot weather continues, millions of Brits have been warned they face a potential drought after some areas experienced the driest start to a year for nearly a century.
3
The strawberries being harvested this month are huge due to the warm sunny weather and cool nights
Credit: Getty
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
an hour ago
- Leader Live
More jets does not mean UK ‘at war' says Reeves, amid Israel-Iran conflict
The Chancellor also indicated that the UK could 'potentially' support Israel, but declined to comment on 'what might happen in the future'. The two nations continued to exchange fire overnight, as the region braced for a protracted conflict. Sir Keir Starmer confirmed on Saturday that more RAF planes are being deployed, amid the escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran. Additional refuelling aircraft have been deployed from UK bases and more fast Typhoon jets will be sent over, it is understood. Asked whether the announcement from the Prime Minister means the UK is at war, Ms Reeves told Sky News: 'No, it does not mean that we are at war. 'And we have not been involved in these strikes or this conflict, but we do have important assets in the region and it is right that we send jets to protect them and that's what we've done. 'It's a precautionary move.' Oil prices surged surged on Friday after Israel's initial strikes against Iran's nuclear programme, sparking fears of increasing prices in the UK. The Chancellor told the BBC that there is 'no complacency' from the Treasury on the issue and 'we're obviously, monitoring this very closely as a government'. Sir Keir has declined to rule out the possibility of intervening in the conflict entirely, and the Chancellor indicated on Sunday that the UK could 'potentially' support Israel in the future. Britain last announced it had deployed fighter jets in the region in last year, when the Government said British aircraft had played a part in efforts to prevent further escalation. Asked whether the UK would come to Israel's aid if asked, the Chancellor told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: 'We have, in the past, supported Israel when there have been missiles coming in. 'I'm not going to comment on what might happen in the future, but so far, we haven't been involved, and we're sending in assets to both protect ourselves and also potentially to support our allies.' Pushed again on whether the UK would deploy assets in support of Israel if asked, she said: 'What we've done in the past (…) is help protect Israel from incoming strikes. 'So a defensive activity.' She added: 'I'm not going to rule anything out at this stage (…) it's a fast moving situation, a very volatile situation.' It comes after Iranian state media said Tehran had warned it would target US, UK and French bases in the region if the countries help Israel thwart Iran's strikes, according to reports on Saturday. Conservative shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride has backed the Government's decision to send further RAF jets to the region, telling the BBC it is the 'right thing' to do. He told the BBC: 'We've got assets out there in the UAE, Oman, Cyprus, they need to be protected given that Iran has suggested they may be under threat.'
Leader Live
an hour ago
- Leader Live
Government advises against all travel to Israel amid Iran conflict
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office updated travel advice on Sunday to advise 'against all travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories'. David Lammy has said that the safety of British nationals 'remains our top priority'. The UK now advises against all travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. My message to British nationals there is clear – your safety remains our top priority. Follow our travel advice for the latest updates: — David Lammy (@DavidLammy) June 15, 2025 Israel and Iran continued to exchange fire overnight, after Sir Keir Starmer said that the UK was sending more RAF jets to the region amid the increasing hostilities. The FCDO website warns that 'travel insurance could be invalidated' if people travel against the advice, and described the current status as a 'fast-moving situation that poses significant risks'. Earlier on Sunday, Rachel Reeves said that sending more jets to the region 'does not mean' the UK is at war. Additional refuelling aircraft have been deployed from UK bases and more fast Typhoon jets will be sent over, it is understood. The Chancellor also indicated that the UK could 'potentially' support Israel, but declined to comment on 'what might happen in the future'. Asked whether the announcement from the Prime Minister means the UK is at war, Ms Reeves told Sky News: 'No, it does not mean that we are at war. 'And we have not been involved in these strikes or this conflict, but we do have important assets in the region and it is right that we send jets to protect them and that's what we've done. 'It's a precautionary move.' Oil prices surged surged on Friday after Israel's initial strikes against Iran's nuclear programme, sparking fears of increasing prices in the UK. The Chancellor told the BBC that there is 'no complacency' from the Treasury on the issue and 'we're obviously, monitoring this very closely as a government'. Sir Keir has declined to rule out the possibility of intervening in the conflict entirely, and the Chancellor indicated on Sunday that the UK could 'potentially' support Israel in the future. Britain last announced it had deployed fighter jets in the region in last year, when the Government said British aircraft had played a part in efforts to prevent further escalation. Asked whether the UK would come to Israel's aid if asked, the Chancellor told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: 'We have, in the past, supported Israel when there have been missiles coming in. 'I'm not going to comment on what might happen in the future, but so far, we haven't been involved, and we're sending in assets to both protect ourselves and also potentially to support our allies.' Pushed again on whether the UK would deploy assets in support of Israel if asked, she said: 'What we've done in the past (…) is help protect Israel from incoming strikes. 'So a defensive activity.' She added: 'I'm not going to rule anything out at this stage (…) it's a fast moving situation, a very volatile situation.' It comes after Iranian state media said Tehran had warned it would target US, UK and French bases in the region if the countries help Israel thwart Iran's strikes, according to reports on Saturday. Conservative shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride has backed the Government's decision to send further RAF jets to the region, telling the BBC it is the 'right thing' to do. He told the BBC: 'We've got assets out there in the UAE, Oman, Cyprus, they need to be protected given that Iran has suggested they may be under threat.'
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
Government advises against all travel to Israel amid Iran conflict
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office updated travel advice on Sunday to advise 'against all travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories'. David Lammy has said that the safety of British nationals 'remains our top priority'. The UK now advises against all travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. My message to British nationals there is clear – your safety remains our top priority. Follow our travel advice for the latest updates: — David Lammy (@DavidLammy) June 15, 2025 Israel and Iran continued to exchange fire overnight, after Sir Keir Starmer said that the UK was sending more RAF jets to the region amid the increasing hostilities. The FCDO website warns that 'travel insurance could be invalidated' if people travel against the advice, and described the current status as a 'fast-moving situation that poses significant risks'. Earlier on Sunday, Rachel Reeves said that sending more jets to the region 'does not mean' the UK is at war. Additional refuelling aircraft have been deployed from UK bases and more fast Typhoon jets will be sent over, it is understood. The Chancellor also indicated that the UK could 'potentially' support Israel, but declined to comment on 'what might happen in the future'. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves (Carl Court/PA) Asked whether the announcement from the Prime Minister means the UK is at war, Ms Reeves told Sky News: 'No, it does not mean that we are at war. 'And we have not been involved in these strikes or this conflict, but we do have important assets in the region and it is right that we send jets to protect them and that's what we've done. 'It's a precautionary move.' Oil prices surged surged on Friday after Israel's initial strikes against Iran's nuclear programme, sparking fears of increasing prices in the UK. The Chancellor told the BBC that there is 'no complacency' from the Treasury on the issue and 'we're obviously, monitoring this very closely as a government'. Sir Keir has declined to rule out the possibility of intervening in the conflict entirely, and the Chancellor indicated on Sunday that the UK could 'potentially' support Israel in the future. Britain last announced it had deployed fighter jets in the region in last year, when the Government said British aircraft had played a part in efforts to prevent further escalation. Asked whether the UK would come to Israel's aid if asked, the Chancellor told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: 'We have, in the past, supported Israel when there have been missiles coming in. 'I'm not going to comment on what might happen in the future, but so far, we haven't been involved, and we're sending in assets to both protect ourselves and also potentially to support our allies.' Shadow chancellor of the Exchequer Mel Stride (James Manning/PA) Pushed again on whether the UK would deploy assets in support of Israel if asked, she said: 'What we've done in the past (…) is help protect Israel from incoming strikes. 'So a defensive activity.' She added: 'I'm not going to rule anything out at this stage (…) it's a fast moving situation, a very volatile situation.' It comes after Iranian state media said Tehran had warned it would target US, UK and French bases in the region if the countries help Israel thwart Iran's strikes, according to reports on Saturday. Conservative shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride has backed the Government's decision to send further RAF jets to the region, telling the BBC it is the 'right thing' to do. He told the BBC: 'We've got assets out there in the UAE, Oman, Cyprus, they need to be protected given that Iran has suggested they may be under threat.'
