There is potential to grow at least 100ha of blueberries in the UK, said David Trehane, MD of the Dorset Blueberry Company.
This would quadruple current output to meet demand in the summer, he said. “Supermarkets regard blueberries as the third most important berry fruit. They have a massive future.”
There was increasing retail and consumer enthusiasm for the fruit following widespread publicity about their healthy qualities, he said. This was stirring the interest of growers.
Trehane, speaking at the Fruit Focus show, said the fruit were worth £3.50 per kg after growing and packing costs.
However, plantations took four years to break even and demand for rootstock was so high, orders had to be placed a year in advance.
This would quadruple current output to meet demand in the summer, he said. “Supermarkets regard blueberries as the third most important berry fruit. They have a massive future.”
There was increasing retail and consumer enthusiasm for the fruit following widespread publicity about their healthy qualities, he said. This was stirring the interest of growers.
Trehane, speaking at the Fruit Focus show, said the fruit were worth £3.50 per kg after growing and packing costs.
However, plantations took four years to break even and demand for rootstock was so high, orders had to be placed a year in advance.
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