UK | Nearly three weeks of fantastic sunshine have brought on the first commercial quantities of British-grown strawberries of 2025.
The great news for strawberry lovers is that the fruit will arrive in some Tesco stores in time for Easter.
The strawberries, which are currently being picked, have been grown by West Sussex growers The Summer Berry Company, which is based in Colworth, near Chichester.
The extra sunshine and recent warmer weather have helped them produce nearly 200 tonnes of fruit - about 50 tonnes more than at the same time last year.
An estimated 500,000 punnets of strawberries will initially be sold at Tesco stores in East and West Sussex and perhaps surrounding counties.
“The arrival in stores of the first Spring-grown British strawberries of the year creates a feel-good factor because it signifies the start of the UK fruit season and that summer is on the way. But their availability also brings a cheer from shoppers because British grown strawberries are considered the best in the world because of our climate,” said Tesco berry buyer Callum Baker.
“Strawberries taste naturally sweeter when ripened in periods of sunny weather because it boosts their natural sugars. Dry conditions also enhance their flavour as the lack of rain helps make the fruit firmer and more flavourful.”
The strawberry varieties going into Tesco stores are Malling Centenary and Fandango. They have been chosen for their superb eating quality and flavour. Both have a vivid colour and produce large berries that are not too crunchy.
Last year, The Summer Berry Company, together with Wicks Farm, another grower based in West Sussex, became the first UK growers to produce commercial quantities of strawberries all year long.
For Christmas, the innovative berry growers produced a record-breaking 38 tonnes of fruit - an increase of 40 percent compared to the same period in 2023.
“With all the recent sunshine, the team at The Summer Berry Company can’t help but feel optimistic about the season ahead. We’re really excited about the boost in strawberry production to kick off the first big harvests of the British season,” said The Summer Berry Company’s Commercial Director Jack Darnes.
“The warm weather, combined with our innovative growing methods, means the plants are healthy and producing lush, sweet-tasting fruit. Strawberry plants love the English spring and summer climate: not too hot or cold, with warm days and cool nights. This is why we produce the best strawberries in the world.”
