Haskap berries, also known as blue honeysuckle, can now be sold in the European Union (EU) after authorities officially classified the fruit as a traditional food.

U.K.-based berry and stonefruit company Soloberry, which has been heavily involved in bringing the fruit to the EU since 2015, said it has been successfully selling haskap outside of Europe, with sales as far afield as Japan.

Haskap, scientifically known as Lonicera caerulea L., were listed as a traditional food under EU regulations on Dec. 13.

Soloberry said demand has risen in Europe to both grow and buy haskap, particularly since its latest announcement on the progress of classification in July.

It describes the taste of the rectangular-shaped fruit as a cross between a blueberry, blackberry and raspberry, with a tangy flavor that makes it ideal for the processing industry. 

The company said it was excited to bring this "super tasty super berry" to a market where it has built a considerable berry customer base over the past 10 years.

"The team at Soloberry have invested great time and energy, with a professional approach, in their commitment to bring this product to market," it said.

"The successful submission of their dossier that clearly showed that Japanese Agriculture at Hokkaido Island have been proactively involved in managing the cooperative system of growers, logistics and sellers of haskap berry for over 25 years.

"This alongside evidence strongly suggesting that haskap berries have been found to be safe for consumption in Japan, helped to secure the change in status of haskap from novel to traditional food."

Soloberry said that the haskap has higher antioxidant levels than blueberries and is suited to northern climates.