It was a slow time for the UK sweet fruit harvest got off to an early start throughout the country. This wasn’t any different for Clock House Farm in Maidstone, Kent, where they picked strawberries 10 days later than the normal.

“We have started to pick raspberries from the production that was heated in April. It is evident that the quality of strawberry and raspberries are looking great The volumes are typical, but we don’t anticipate any bumper yields in 2023.” added Oli Pascall, the Managing Director for Clock House Farm. “The slow ripening process of the fruits in the spring has produced some top-quality fruit, however there is definitely been an earlier beginning to the growing season. Overall, it’s not huge quantities, but the harvest is sure to be a high-quality harvest.”

Oli stated that the market has remained stable, Wimbledon does deliver a spike in strawberry sales each year however demand has been steady over the course of the year.

“As an agricultural producer, we’re confronted with a variety of issues at the moment. We believe that the issue of labor supply for the harvest has been solved, but in a high cost. The increase in expenses across the supply chain, for instance energy, fuel and fertilizer as well as transport, and this results to a rise in the cost of production. While retailers have risen the cost of their products in stores, it does not reflect in the amount growsers receive.”

Certain cost hikes can be difficult to control however Clock House Farm have established their own plant propagation in containers business called Linton Growing – to reduce dependence on imported plants and to ensure that they have access to top quality plants which deliver the best yields quality, size, taste as well as resistance to diseases. The company also decreases their carbon footprint of the company by using locally cultivated plants, rather than making ‘food miles’ by importing goods.

“Our groundbreaking river-heated production is in operation and reaping tremendous benefits, not only in terms of energy efficiency as well as in enhancing our green credentials.”

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Oli Pascall

Clock House Farm

Tel: +44 1622 743955

admin@clockhousefarm.co.uk

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