Angus Soft Fruits leader talks innovation and challenges in berry sector
In this interview done with Fresh Fruit Portal during Fruit Logistica, Sarah Ilyas spoke with Jill Witheyman, Head of Marketing at Angus Soft Fruits. What is Angus Soft Fruits all about? We are a Scottish company based on the northeast coast of Scotland, celebrating our 30th anniversary this year. Angus Soft Fruits is a family […]
Have we finally reached a ‘crisis’ moment in the divide between British growers and retailers?
Earlier this week, the chairman of British Berry Growers Nick Marston said that “confidence in their retailer partners had been dented,” notably impaired by an outdated Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP). “It is not fit for purpose in today’s inflationary marketplace,” said Marston, whose group represents 95% of those who grow in the commercial […]
UK consumers could be forced to sacrifice British Grown quality if soft fruit industry doesn’t get help
Just when the industry was looking to recover from the pandemic, we’ve been plunged into an even greater state of crisis triggered by a number of factors. Increased production costs linked to soaring energy tariffs and the rate of inflation peaking at 11.1% in October 2022 (a figure that is even higher in agriculture, anything […]
British Berry Growers launch policy board in hopes of ‘securing future’ of industry
British Berry Growers, which represent nearly all of the commercial soft fruit growers in the UK, have formed a Campaign and Policy board to advocate for the industry’s pressing needs. “The value of UK berry production is an estimated £800 million at farm gate and accounts for approximately 33,000 jobs across the country,” Nick Marston, […]
Which UK supermarket earned British Growers crown for biggest growth in berry sales?
To be named Retailer of the Year by the assocation whose members supply nearly all of the berries in UK supermarkets is no small feat. Given the displays seen at some top retailers, the choice in 2023 by British Berry Growers might be surprising. But it is certainly warranted given the tremendous strides they’ve made […]
Why the largest and sweetest blackberries this season are British grown
Experts are touting this year’s crop of British blackberries as larger, more sweet and more versatile in snacking and meal prep than hedgerow varieties. All the more reason for consumers to select them in their supermarkets and avoid that enticing pick. Agromonists say this “new generation” of blackberries doesn’t have the same bite as the […]
Clock House Farm berries win top prizes at National Cherry & Soft Fruit Show
Clock House Farm is celebrating success once again at the National Cherry & Soft Fruit Show after its raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries won various awards. The wins included two first-place prizes in the supermarket packs; earning the Pask Cornish & Smart Cup and title for Best Exhibit of Raspberries for their Driscoll’s Reyna variety and scooping […]
Strawberry creation from Angus Soft Fruits takes Crown as ‘World’s Largest’
Call it the Crown Jewel of Fresh Produce. Angus Soft Fruits of Scotland and commissioned food artist Prudence Staite recently unveiled a beautiful masterpiece of 400 AVA Magnum strawberries in the shape of a crown to celebrate the King’s Coronation, the Scottish season and Wimbledon. The stunning creation – 30 inches long and 30 inches […]
