Bridge Greenhouses support UK soft fruit growers during Berry Fresh Month
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As February’s Berry Fresh Month begins, specialists in constructing and equipping commercial greenhouses, Bridge Greenhouses, are highlighting the support that greenhouses provide to UK soft fruit growers.
Even with UK berries traditionally being associated with summer, Berry Fresh Month is held annually in February. The national appreciation month aims to celebrate soft fruits and their significant contribution to a healthy, balanced diet.
With soft fruits and berries needing warmth and sunlight to grow, environmentally controlled greenhouse structures – as supplied by companies such as Bridge Greenhouses – are allowing growers to cultivate temperature sensitive crops during the winter months.
“In the UK, soft fruits would typically be limited to the summer months. However, with the right greenhouse infrastructure, British growers can cultivate high-quality berries even through the cold season. As we celebrate Berry Fresh Month, its good to recognise the essential role that commercial greenhouses play in maintaining a steady supply of homegrown soft fruit all year-round” says David Summerfield, Managing Director of Bridge Greenhouses.
With demands for berries and other soft fruits still high outside of summer, food suppliers have typically sourced soft fruits from exported markets.
However, in recent years, the industry has experienced a shift towards locally produced food due to post-Brexit supply chain uncertainties coupled with sustainability concerns from transportation.
According to data from GOV.UK, the importation of soft fruit into the UK is fallen each year with 144 thousand tonnes imported in 2023, down from 178,000 tonnes in 2021.
This transition in supply has driven greater demand for soft fruits grown in UK soil.
“This shift towards local agriculture reinforces the importance that environmentally controlled structures have when meeting off-season demand needs. Through advanced greenhouse technology, our nation’s farmers can produce high yield crops while helping reduce carbon footprint associated from importing soft fruits – ensuring a more sustainable and resilient supply chain for the UK market” adds David.
Founded in 1983 and based in Hull and Chichester, Bridge Greenhouses has been at the forefront of the UK horticulture for over four decades, constructing commercial greenhouses throughout Britain for edible crops, medicinal plants, plant nurseries and flowers.
As well as erecting greenhouses, Bridge supply and install screens, lighting, heating and other control technology which help growers maintain the ideal crop growing conditions.
“With greenhouses providing the solution to year-round growth for UK berries and soft fruits in winter, Bridge Greenhouses are proudly supporting commercial soft fruits growers, offering our advanced greenhouse designs and cutting-edge technology – especially throughout Berry Fresh month!” concludes David.
More information on Bridge Greenhouses can be found at https://www.bridgegreenhouses.co.uk/
