Latest news with #WBChambersFarms
The Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Strawberries bucking the trend to get bigger and cheaper in 2025 – here's why
Strawberry season in the UK has arrived ahead of schedule this year, with growers attributing the early bounty to a combination of warm days, cool nights, and ample sunshine. The favourable weather conditions have resulted in strawberries that are not only sweeter and larger but also more aesthetically pleasing, leading to lower prices for consumers. James Miller, commercial director at WB Chambers Farms in Maidstone, noted that consistent daytime temperatures of 20 degrees Celsius in May, coupled with overnight drops to 9 degrees and high light levels, have been instrumental in producing the exceptional early-season crop. Mr Miller said that these conditions have "really helped the plants to develop and to produce the sweet and large berries that we've got at the moment," adding that "the warm and sunny weather has been welcome for strawberry growing this year." Tesco reported it had increased its stock from UK strawberry growers and reduced the price of 400g punnets from £2.50 to £1.50. The supermarket anticipates a 25 per cent increase in strawberry sales compared to last year. This bucks the common 'shrinkflation' trend many products have been subject to in recent years, where shoppers are paying higher prices for lower quantities. It was recently revealed that the average price of chocolate in the UK grew an inflation-busting 16.5 per cent in the year to February. This is despite many of the products remaining the same size or even becoming smaller. Miller said growing conditions this spring were very different to last year when Britain experienced a much colder and wetter start to the fruit growing season. He said all farmers understood that they have to adapt to climate change, and be prepared for changing circumstances. "We have to invest in the technology. That means that we understand the weather impact on the crops and how we change our irrigation or feeding routines for the future," he said. Miller also welcomed the news that the government is in the process of resetting trade ties with the European Union, which should make it easier to export. The sooner a deal comes the better.
Reuters
5 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Britain's sunny spring brings a bumper strawberry crop
MAIDSTONE, England June 4 (Reuters) - Strawberry season has arrived early to Britain this year thanks to a "near perfect" spring blend of warm days, cool nights and high sunshine levels, growers said. The favourable conditions have meant sweeter, larger and more shapely strawberries arriving earlier on supermarket shelves this year and lower prices for shoppers. James Miller, the commercial director of Maidstone, southeast England-based WB Chambers Farms, said regular daytime temperatures in May of 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit), dropping to 9 C overnight, along with high light levels were the key to the exceptional early season crop. "(That's) really helped the plants to develop and to produce the sweet and large berries that we've got at the moment," he told Reuters. "The warm and sunny weather has been welcome for strawberry growing this year." Late last month, Tesco (TSCO.L), opens new tab, Britain's biggest supermarket group, said it had taken on extra stock from UK strawberry growers and had cut the price shoppers pay for 400g punnets from 2.50 pounds ($3.38) to 1.50 pounds. It expects to sell about 25% more strawberries this year than last. Miller said growing conditions this spring were very different to last year when Britain experienced a much colder and wetter start to the fruit growing season. He said all farmers understood that they have to adapt to climate change, and be prepared for changing circumstances. "We have to invest in the technology. That means that we understand the weather impact on the crops and how we change our irrigation or feeding routines for the future," he said. Miller also welcomed the news that the government is in the process of resetting trade ties with the European Union, which should make it easier to export. The sooner a deal comes the better. "If it was this summer, then this season, that would be fantastic," he said. ($1 = 0.7389 pounds)
