Britain's leading berry grower-marketer Berry Gardens supplied 90% more strawberries to market year-on-year between March and June.

One of the reasons for such a bumper crop was an exceptionally mild U.K. spring, which meant the strawberry season kicked off three weeks earlier than usual.

Berry Gardens managing director Nicholas Marston made the announcement during industry event Fruit Focus 2014, held earlier this week in England.

This year has been a 'complete contrast' to 2013, according to a Berry Gardens release. Sales volumes from March to June 2013 were 4,066 metric tons (MT) compared with 7,814MT this year.

"As a co-operative with growers throughout the UK, Berry Gardens has been able to meet demand with the early English tunnelled crops followed by Scottish crops which now provide a significant proportion of the UK strawberry production," Marston said in the release.

"Strawberries have eaten really well this year and have delivered outstanding quality. Retailers have supported the peak in June and this continued through the Wimbledon fortnight with in-store support and tactical promotions."

The release also cites the latest Kantar Worldpanel data that reveals how the strawberry market is valued at £493 million (US$836 million), representing an increase of 13.2% over the last 52 weeks with the market share for Berry Gardens worth consistently more than 30%.

Berry Gardens will continue to work with partner Driscoll's on varieties including Diamond, Scarlet and Jubilee, a 'queen of the crop' variety, according to Marston.

"There are several new exciting varieties currently in development, for example the Driscoll’s® June bearer, TUK series has produced good yields during trials and consumers will savour its exceptionally sweet flavour," Marston added in the release.

"We still have several months of UK production to enjoy and this year is forecast to be a bumper year, due to the early season and the British public’s ongoing love of strawberries."

Alastair Brooks was appointed Chairman of Berry Gardens earlier this year.

"As berry growers we are constantly challenged by retail customers to produce berries of outstanding quality with exceptional taste whilst not compromising shelf life," Brooks said.

"By working with partners such as Driscoll's® and the East Malling Research Centre, Berry Gardens can meet those challenges head on."

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