UK raspberry growers face mounting challenges as climate shifts and costs soar

The UK raspberry industry faces critical threats due to climate change, rising production costs, and increasing competition from cheaper imports. The Raspberry Economics in Production project, led by the James Hutton Institute (JHI), has been awarded £1 million ($1.21 million) from UK Research and Innovation’s Innovate UK program to develop climate-resilient varieties that use fewer resources.

JHI, renowned for breeding high-quality raspberry varieties, aims to employ advanced genetic techniques to make raspberry cultivation more efficient. Dr Julie Graham, the project lead at JHI, explained that with costs rising 25% over the past two years and retailer returns stagnant, growers are facing intense pressure. “We’ll develop varieties more resistant to climate change that require fewer resources, supporting both the environment and rural economies,” said Dr Graham.

The project brings together a consortium of key industry partners, including Thomas Thomson Blairgowrie Ltd and Angus Soft Fruits Ltd. Peter Thomson, of Thomas Thomson Blairgowrie Ltd, highlighted that the development of resource-efficient varieties is crucial for long-term sustainability.

Growers across the UK are already struggling with the impact of rising production costs and labor shortages, worsened by the aftermath of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. Many, like Leadketty Farm in Perthshire, have had to shut down operations. While the Raspberry Economics in Production project aims to offer a sustainable path forward, the pressures on the sector remain significant.