Berry growers across the UK have reported on a challenging harvest season due to the recent record-breaking temperatures. Growers faced unexpected dry and hot conditions, as for the first time on record and during the peak of harvest, UK temperatures exceeded 40 degrees. Also, growers harvested through the driest July since 1911.
The UK blackcurrant harvest started on 3 July in Somerset, where hopes were high for favourable weather conditions for the next six weeks. The Blackcurrant Foundation, which consists of 35 growers, said a major concern this year was that berries were not able to cling on to the bushes.
The impact of extreme conditions were worse felt in the South East and East Anglian regions, but for other growers across the UK, harvest was relatively normal. Ribena, which takes 90 percent of the UK blackcurrant crop, is forecast to receive over 10,000 tons of fruit this summer.
Source - https://www.freshplaza.com
