About Our Berries

Global Sources

Spain

Spain forms a very important part of our overseas supplier base, with the majority of our non-UK strawberries and raspberries coming from our growers in the south-west of Spain, as well as significant volumes of blackberries and blueberries. Here we have developed close relationships with several key growers and suppliers whose focus is clearly on BerryWorld and our customers' requirements. They have invested in farms and facilities which meet the high standards for food quality and food safety that are the foundations of our successful business. However they are not standing still, and continue to investigate new technologies and techniques to improve the quality and safety for our customers and the environment. For example, they have dispensed with the need to use Methyl Bromide as a soil sterilant - a major ozone depleting chemical - without compromising the final quality and long term sustainability of the businesses.

Other locations

Outside of Spain we have strawberry sources in Morocco, Egypt and Israel which also supply strawberries during the difficult periods over Christmas and the New Year when weather conditions and temperatures mean the growing of strawberries is difficult even in the south of Spain. We have a range of sources in these regions to help maintain our quality and availability of supply despite the constant concern over poor weather conditions which can strike at any time during this period.

Blueberries

Blueberries have also become very important to BerryWorld in the last few years, with their popularity growing rapidly on the back of proven health benefits and publicity. BerryWorld have been supplying blueberries since the company was started over ten years ago, developing strong relationships with a range of sources all over the world to ensure the quality and availability that we now see throughout the year on our supermarket customers' shelves. Due to the fact that blueberry plants have very specific environmental requirements and take many years to mature to fully productive plants, BerryWorld has had to work closely with specialist blueberry growers and suppliers in Chile, Argentina, South Africa, New Zealand, and many countries within Europe with the wealth of knowledge in breeding, growing, packing, shipping and marketing to achieve this. Through our joint expertise around the world, BerryWorld has managed to become the market leader in blueberry supply to the UK supermarkets.

Blackberries

Blackberries are also a crop which has shown rapid growth in popularity over the last few years. This has been especially true during the winter months where we have a strong grower base in the highlands of Mexico. The unique climate in this region combined with a specific variety - Tupi - which thrives under these conditions, has allowed the production of high quality, good tasting fruit from November until May.

Other soft fruits

Apart from the four main soft fruits, BerryWorld also supplies cranberries, gooseberries and currants to our customers when they are in season. It is BerryWorld's aim to improve the availability of these 'minor berries' in the future.