David Sharpley

  • News

    Driscoll Jubilee berry records bumper sales

    2009-07-25T00:00:00

    Sales of strawberry variety Driscoll Jubilee have defied tough conditions in the premium sector to record strong growth.Jubilee sales had risen 17% in the past year, while the premium strawberry sector had fallen 10% overall, claimed...

  • News

    South Africa prepares to promote its plums

    2008-07-05T00:00:00

    South African plums are to be heavily promoted in the UK in a move that could open the way for a flurry of promotional activity on fruit from the country. South Africa's 600 plum growers will launch a £300,000 promotional push during the...

  • News

    Rhubarb short as crops stay dormant

    2006-12-16T00:00:00

    A rhubarb shortage is looming because the bulk of UK supplies won't be pulled until after Christmas.  Yorkshire's forced rhubarb crop represents the main UK source and is running late, according to one of the largest growers, David...

  • News

    Canaries fighting for share on two fronts

    2006-11-18T00:00:00

    Canary Islands tomato growers are fighting to defend their slice of the EU market - but in their eagerness to promote they have launched two unrelated and costly campaigns. They are key suppliers to the UK during the winter season, and...

  • News

    Multiples keen to get new tomato on shelf

    2006-10-28T00:00:00

    A new variety of baby plum tomato, identified only by a code number hours before it was entered in a tasting trial at the National Fruit Show and quickly christened Bon Bon, is already attracting retailers' attention. Under trial by one...

  • News

    Tozer rises to meet demand for gourds

    2006-09-23T00:00:00

    Booming sales of novel gourds and pumpkins should not lead to empty shelves this year, according to the company that supplies much of the seed to growers in the sector. Technologist Jim Joby at Tozer Seeds told The Grocer that the company...