A blueberry grower is advocating for the selection of locally produced blueberries instead of imported variants. Hall Hunter operates two farms in Surrey and is set to produce approximately 3,000 tons of blueberries this season, accounting for nearly half of the UK's total harvest. Despite this, the UK is projected to import over 64,000 tons of blueberries in 2024 due to rising demand.
Jim Floor, the managing director, is encouraging the cultivation of British blueberries to reduce reliance on imports. He highlights a lack of awareness among UK consumers about the availability of local blueberries and emphasizes the importance of supporting UK agriculture to minimize food and air miles.
The cultivation period for British blueberries extends from June to September. In the previous year, the value of British blueberries to the economy was £607m, with expectations for a substantial increase this year. Floor notes that although the firm also produces strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries, blueberries have seen the most significant growth, describing them as "the perfect fruit" due to their health benefits. Hall Hunter has recently expanded its operations with a 55-hectare blueberry farm in Farnham following a fourfold increase in yield over five years. The company's produce is supplied to major supermarkets, including Waitrose and Sainsbury's.
Source: bbc.com