RASPBERRY CROPS NEAR PEAK

"Our raspberry crops have been as delayed as have our strawberry crops." said Nicholas Marston, Managing Director of Berry Gardens Ltd, at Fruit Focus, the fruit industry's showcase event held on Wednesday, 24th July, at East Malling Research, Kent.

He added, "We will have several weeks of our highest raspberry sales ever. This started last week (W/C 14th July) with a total sale to supermarket customers of just short of 400 tonnes and, as for strawberries, we expect the following three weeks sales to be even higher as floricane crops of Maravilla combine with delayed crops of Maravilla, plus some Glen Ample, Tulameen and Octavia."

"Raspberries have been a significant growth area for Berry Gardens' growers over the past few years," said Paul Kelsey, Chairman, "largely as a result from our ability to grow the world leading Driscoll varieties such as Maravilla."

According to Mr Kelsey, Berry Gardens' growers are now growing just under 550 ha of raspberries, and 80% of the area is occupied by Driscoll varieties. Maravilla accounts for 328 ha followed by Octavia at 66 ha.

Mr Marston reported that the latest Kantar Worldpanel data shows that the UK raspberry market is now worth £131.8 million¹, which compares to retail sales of strawberries valued at £435.9 million¹ and blueberries now in second position at £164.3 million¹. In the past year raspberry values grew by 15.33%¹ but the volume grew by 13.14%¹ showing a little price deflation. Greater availability of imported raspberries helped to mitigate the later start to the UK season although the average values have been significantly stronger over 2012.²

"Our raspberry business continues to grow," said Mr Marston, "and we are very pleased to have started serving some new customers this year who have already seen significant increased sales through those depots where we have been supplying our better eating varieties that also have excellent shelf life."

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He continued, "With only one third of consumers³ buying raspberries, and only for on average just over six and a half times per year³, we see plenty of opportunities for further growth in our raspberry business over the next few years."

Ends

For further details, please contact:

Simon Merrick

Zest^ST

T: 01634 671167

M: 07803 931138

E: Simon.Merrick@thinkzest.com

About Berry Gardens

Based in Kent, Berry Gardens is one of the UK's premier soft fruit and stone fruit suppliers. Founded 40 years ago, Berry Gardens is the UK's leading berry and stone fruit production and marketing group with sales in 2012 of £202 million, a market share in excess of 30% and a year round business supplying all of Britain's leading retailers.

As a co-operative, Berry Gardens is wholly owned by UK growers making the Berry Gardens proposition unique in the UK agricultural market.

Notes

1. Kantar Worldpanel raspberry market share data for the 52 weeks prior to week ending 7th July 2013.

2. Average invoiced sales values up to and including week 29 (W/C 15th July 2013) have been, on average, +18.87% higher than the corresponding period in 2012

3. Penetration was 32.3% according to Kantar Worldpanel and the frequency of purchase was 6.6 times for the 52 weeks to the week ending 7th July 2013.