Tesco expects to extend availability to nearly half the country next week, with nationwide supply anticipated by mid-May. The supermarket projects receiving 300 tonnes of UK-grown fruit (roughly one million punnets) next week, an increase of over 100% compared to three weeks ago.
This early harvest will reduce retailers' reliance on imported strawberries from Spain and Morocco. Grower Hall Hunter expects a 30% increase in strawberries from its farms due to ideal conditions, according to commercial director Neil Donaldson. "Cool nights and warm sunny days create the perfect conditions for growing sweet, full-flavoured strawberries — and that's exactly what this weekend's forecast is bringing," he said. "Thanks to these ideal conditions, we're expecting a 30% increase in strawberries coming off our farms. It's a fantastic start to the UK strawberry season, and we're hopeful these great conditions will continue."
The start of the outdoor British strawberry season is a huge feel-good moment in the year as it means summer is just around the corner with many months ahead of outdoor living.
The strawberry variety going into Tesco stores is called Lady Emma, known for its large size and sweet flavour, with 400g punnets costing £2.50. The Summer Berry Company expects strawberries this year to be particularly sweet due to unsettled weather in March, according to operations director Bartosz Pinkosz. "The weather was poor throughout March, which means we're not expecting a glut of strawberries like we had last year. But that's actually good news for us all, as it means there won't be too much fruit all coming at once," he said. "And the brilliant news is we expect the strawberries this year to be particularly sweet. With the unsettled weather in March, the fruit has spent more time on the plant – and the longer the berry is on the plant, the sweeter it gets. That all points to excellent flavour and quality in this year's strawberries."
Tesco strawberry buyer Callum Baker said: "The start of the outdoor British strawberry season is a huge feel-good moment in the year as it means summer is just around the corner with many months ahead of outdoor living." He added: "Next week marks a significant step forward in the transition to British supply, with volumes of UK strawberries into Tesco set to increase by more than double since the beginning of April." Baker also noted: "Based on the extra sunshine we've just had and good weather forecast over the next few days we predict our total UK strawberry volume to be around 40% next week." He concluded: "If the weather stays relatively good from now then we'll see UK-wide availability of British-grown strawberries by mid-May."
Next week marks a significant step forward in the transition to British supply, with volumes of UK strawberries into Tesco set to increase by more than double since the beginning of April.
While Tesco is leading the early availability, it remains unclear which other supermarkets are stocking British strawberries and at what prices. The exact start date of the 2025 season compared to previous years has not been confirmed, nor has the total expected UK strawberry yield. Additionally, it is unknown whether other strawberry varieties besides Lady Emma are being sold.
Based on the extra sunshine we’ve just had and good weather forecast over the next few days we predict our total UK strawberry volume to be around 40% next week.
If the weather stays relatively good from now then we’ll see UK-wide availability of British-grown strawberries by mid-May.