UK expects explosion in blackberry popularity

The British blackberry season is in full swing and it looks like the explosive growth in blackberry popularity seen in recent years will continue this year. The British hunger for blackberries does not seem to be quenching. Last year, €60 million was spent on this soft fruit category in the UK, which is 8% more than in the previous 12 months. An important reason for this growing popularity is the high-quality new blackberry varieties that have come onto the market in recent years. Thanks to these new varieties and developments in cultivation, the blackberry season has been extended and the quality of the fruit has also improved. The blackberries sold in the supermarket look nothing like their wild counterparts anymore and are bigger, juicier and sweeter. Nick Marston, chairman of British Summer Fruits, the umbrella organization that represents 95% of the UK's soft fruit industry, told retailtimes.co.uk: "The blackberry market has grown 8% this year. Based on past data and the ...