BerryWorld Plus Unveils UK’s First Home-Bred Blueberry

BerryWorld Plus is marking a major milestone in soft fruit innovation with the launch of BerryWorld Orb® – the first-ever blueberry to be bred on British soil.

The breakthrough comes as the company’s breeding programme celebrates a successful year, with Orb® securing the coveted title of Tastiest Blueberry at the 2025 National Cherry & Soft Fruit Show.

Developed at BerryWorld Plus’ breeding site in Faversham, Kent, the northern highbush variety was first selected by Peter Vinson in 2012 and later advanced by Graham Clarkson in 2015. Renowned for its impressive size, vibrant flavour, firm texture and extended shelf life, Orb® is already attracting strong interest from UK retailers.

The variety’s upright plant structure also ensures good berry presentation and easy picking – an advantage for growers.

Samuel Rowe, CEO of BerryWorld Varieties, said: “It’s promising to see successful breeding on British soil, with BerryWorld Orb® delivering a sustainable offer for farms and for retailers. In the UK retail market we’ve seen a fivefold increase in blueberry consumption in the last fifteen years, from some 12,000 tonnes annually in 2010 to nearly 65,000 tonnes in the most recent Kantar data.

"It’s exciting to be pioneering a UK first, and great to be able to offer locally bred varieties to British growers and shoppers as well, many of whom love to buy local produce when it’s in season.”

This season marks Orb®’s commercial debut, with limited volumes already available through selected UK retailers.

Source: Hort News