Bumper British Berry Harvest Points To Self-Sufficiency Opportunity

British berry growers are reporting a stronger-than-expected crop this season, with production running 6% ahead of an already bumper 2025, potentially paving the way for increased domestic supply over imports.

Blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries have been among the strongest performers following two-thirds of the harvest, according to British Berry Growers (BBG), and reported by The Guardian.

This year’s hot conditions have accelerated ripening and growth, although there are concerns that some berry crops could face greater pressure later in the season. 

Late season strawberry plants, in particular, may struggle to maintain production into early autumn after heavy cropping through the heatwave period. 

Blackcurrant output is also expected to fall by about 10%.

Although the hot weather could have resulted in smaller fruit because of faster ripening, BBG said favourable conditions earlier in the season have helped to keep berries within supermarket specifications.

The fruit has been sweeter too, with raspberries proving to be "exceptionally sweet” in a vintage year, blackberries enjoying their “sweetest year ever”, and strawberries reaping “outstanding” quality.

Scope To Grow UK Production

This year’s stronger harvest provides an encouraging boost for the UK fresh produce sector following a summer marked by extreme heat, drought, and water shortages.

BBG said its growers have benefited from a combination of warm weather and protected production, coupled with spending millions of pounds on water infrastructure and more efficient irrigation.

The longer-term opportunity, meanwhile, may extend beyond simply managing climate risk. 

BBG chair Nick Marston said more secure water supplies could allow growers to increase domestic production at a time when competing supply regions are facing increasingly difficult growing conditions.

The potential prize is greater UK self-sufficiency in berries to satisfy consumer demand.

Southern Spain, North Africa, and other regions supplying the British market during the winter are themselves facing mounting water scarcity and more severe heat, according to Marston.

With further investment in irrigation, storage, and production systems, he said UK growers could withstand more challenging summers, and capture a larger share of the domestic berry market.

Investment In Water Security Paying Off

Already, much of the UK berry crop is grown under polytunnels and supported by drip irrigation. 

This has allowed producers to manage water application while shielding fruit from the most damaging effects of extreme temperatures this season.

“British growers have collectively invested millions of pounds over many years to improve resilience to these conditions,” pointed out Marston.

“That includes developing secure water supplies, from winter storage reservoirs to highly efficient, computer-controlled drip irrigation systems that deliver water precisely where it’s needed,” he added.

However, access to reliable water remains a significant constraint on future production. 

Around 40% of berry producers are understood not to have either a reservoir or licensed borehole, which leaves them more exposed to restrictions affecting mains supplies and river abstraction.

Marston said that growers who are dependent on mains water are beginning to feel the impact of the drought.

“The long-term picture seems that climate change is going to [lead to] hot summers and wetter winters,” Marston explained. 

“Government can assist. Growers have already invested in water security but a lot more needs to be done.”

While recent planning changes easing restrictions on on-farm reservoirs are a positive development, BBG is calling for government action in four key areas.

Among those, the industry is seeking greater flexibility around river abstraction, particularly the ability to take and store more water during wetter winter months for use during the growing season.

This year’s solid performance comes after a difficult period for the UK berry sector. 

In 2024, concerns were raised that two-fifths of British strawberry and raspberry growers could leave the industry by the end of 2026. 

Since then, however, two consecutive strong summers have provided a more positive future for growers.