UK soft fruit exports reach record high

The Netherlands was the biggest consumer of UK soft fruit last year
The Netherlands was the biggest consumer of UK soft fruit last year

New figures show that UK soft fruit exports reached a record £22.1m last year, an increase of 69 percent from 2017.

Defra said home-grown raspberries, blackberries and strawberries helped increase UK exports.

The Netherlands was the UK's number one international market last year, accounting for £6m worth of exports.

Spain came second, accounting for £5.8m worth of UK soft fruit.

Another big market for the soft fruit industry is the Republic of Ireland, who bought £3.4m worth of fruit.

Since 2013, the value of soft fruit exports has risen sharply by £16.8m, an increase of more than 300 percent.

The release of the statistics comes as growers get ready for Fruit Focus, a leading industry technical event.

Farming Minister Robert Goodwill said: “For soft fruits, the proof is in the pudding with exports having risen dramatically in the last year.

“This clearly shows the global demand for delicious, British-grown produce.”