Fresh Produce Excellence: Growing Our Share of the Value Chain

The UK berry sector is facing extremely challenges times. After many successful years over the past four years costs of production have increased by approx. 40% whilst at the same time output returns have increased by approx. 20% resulting in a significant margin gap. Consequently, we are starting to see some growers leave the sector. This is all the more frustrating given that berries, being a fantastically healthy product, are in demand.

My studies took me to the UK, the Netherlands, Norway, the US and Canada, Australia and New Zealand and South East Asia where I met breeders, growers and marketers with the aim of understanding ‘how we as growers can increase our share of the value chain’. While the UK is often seen as one of the more advanced berry producers globally, with a sophisticated market, there are several lessons to be learnt from different approaches in other countries.

New techniques in breeding, namely molecular marker assisted breeding and gene editing are speeding up the development of new berry varieties. This is likely to bring benefits to growers in terms of higher yields and improved disease resistance which should allow for lower costs of production.

In the UK most berries are produced in polytunnels, a so called ‘mid tech’ system. In the Netherlands in particular the majority of berries are produced in more intensive glasshouse systems. These systems, whilst initially a lot more expensive, allow for large yields per hectare and should a cheaper source of energy be available, then these systems represent an opportunity to increase efficiencies and to extend the season of availability of UK berries. Arguably in the UK we have ‘overengineered’ our berry supply chain with too many check points in the process and there is an opportunity to go back to basics to get it right first time, thereby allowing for a reduction in cost without compromising the final product quality.

There are exciting and growing markets in other parts of the world such as the Middle East and South East Asia and, in the future, India. These countries have rapidly expanding middle classes who are prepared to pay the same or more than European consumers for berries and, due to their tropical climates, will import berries for many years to come. These markets represent an opportunity for UK growers to spread their risk and ultimately add more value to their businesses.

A recurring theme throughout my travels was the profound impact of investing in people. In New Zealand, the Māori saying, "What is the most important thing in the world? It is the people, it is the people, it is the people," resonated deeply. World-class individuals, when nurtured and empowered, drive businesses forward, fostering innovation and sustainable growth.

In summary, through my travels I have seen that there is potential for change and for growers to improve their share of the value chain and therefore I am optimistic for the future of UK berry production.