British blueberries have been given a boost by the warmest spring on record, with this year’s harvest already up by nearly a quarter. Growers attribute the improved yield and larger berries to favorable weather conditions as well as the introduction of new varieties. Projections indicate that by the end of August, the crop is expected to reach 5,133 tonnes, a significant increase from last year’s 4,187 tonnes. Sales are already 9% higher compared to last year, thanks to growing awareness of blueberries’ health benefits and a plentiful crop.
Daniel Martin, group commercial director at S&A Produce, emphasizes that this season’s blueberry crop has experienced a very positive start, approximately two weeks ahead of schedule, due to ample sunlight and dry weather. This has resulted in excellent fruit size and even ripening, with optimistic expectations for the season’s flavor and shelf life.
New technology, particularly in automated picking, is supporting the harvest as growers seek to reduce labor costs and increase efficiency. At Hall Hunter, a leading UK blueberry producer, machines are currently used to harvest 10% of their crop, with expected expansion to 30% next year.
While blueberries are at the forefront of technological advancements in fruit picking, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are still handpicked at Hall Hunter due to their delicacy. Jim Floor, the managing director at Hall Hunter, acknowledges progress in robotic fruit picking but notes that the technology is not yet ready for widespread commercial use.
This surge in blueberry production follows a successful season for strawberries, aided by a sunny, dry spring. The warmest start to May on record led to an abundance of early strawberries, aubergines, and tomatoes. Despite reports of “giant” 50g strawberries, the average size is a more modest 30g.
Nick Marston, chair of the British Berry Growers, says that all UK berry crops, including strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries, have seen a 25% increase thanks to favorable weather in June. However, it remains uncertain if the overall berry harvest for the year will see the same increase, as some fruits may have been harvested earlier and conditions could change.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jul/26/uk-blueberry-crop-up-fruit-yield
