The warmest spring start in 100 years has led to a crop flush of British strawberries. The heatwave brought strawberry production forward by about two weeks, leaving many UK growers with surplus fruit.
Tesco shares that they are stepping in to help growers by taking extra stock, and the good news for shoppers is that the strawberries will be on sale for almost half price, in time for the half-term holidays next week.
Tesco Berries Buying Manager Callum Baker said: "Nothing shouts that summer is on the way louder than the availability of large, lush, sweet British strawberries—and even better if they're being sold for cheaper. The fantastic UK weather recently has brought on the strawberries faster than expected, with growers reporting that the extra hours of sunshine have made the fruit larger and sweeter than usual for this time of year.
"As soon as Tesco heard about the glut, we swung into action to help out British growers and prevent any strawberries from going to waste on farms.
"With the extra amount of strawberries coming through right now, we expect to sell about 25 percent more crop this year than last."
The Met Office has reported that last month was the warmest April since records began 100 years ago, with much of the UK experiencing temperatures 3 to 5°C warmer than is normal for April.
One grower being supported by Tesco is F W Mansfield of Chartham near Canterbury in Kent.
Mansfields' Commercial Operations Manager Dave Slaughter said: "The sudden growth spurt has taken many growers by surprise and couldn't have been more different from last spring when we experienced a much colder and wetter start to the fruit growing season.
"The combination of far longer than usual sunshine together with the extra hours of sunlight in the last few weeks has resulted in a fine crop this year.
"With the predicted cooler weather and rain in the next week adding to the great sunshine we've had already, it looks like we will have a really good quality crop this year."
The extra sunshine contributed to bumper strawberries across Britain, including Kent, East and West Sussex, Berkshire, Wales, Norfolk, Herefordshire, and Scotland.
The 400g punnets of strawberries will go on sale at more than 750 Tesco stores, priced at £1.50 instead of the usual £2.50.
For more information:
Tesco
www.tescoplc.com/