IT HAS not been all sunshine and smiles for Scotland’s fruit growers this summer, despite supermarkets putting more local produce, and less imports, on their shelves.

In particular, concern over the 'unprecedented' increase in labour costs inflicted by the introduction of the national living wage, plus worries about the supply of seasonal workers post-Brexit, has cast a shadow over the sector.

Reporting on the season so far, NFU Scotland’s horticulture working group chairman, James Porter, from Carnoustie, Angus, said: “It is impossible to give a clear statement on how fruit yields have been overall, as there has been a lot of variation from across the country. The slightly cool summer in Scotland, in particular, has meant crops are around a week or so later than usual, but the cooler weather has prevented sudden gluts, leading to a good average price for supermarket and wholesale fruit over the season.

“Generally the two biggest concerns for growers right now will be long term availability of labour and the national living wage," said Mr Porter. "Growers and their employees need assurances as soon as possible that the seasonal agricultural workers scheme or equivalent will be re-instated after Brexit. Without it, the impact on soft fruit and vegetable sectors in Scotland and the rest of the UK will be devastating.

“We have already experienced an unprecedented minimum wage rise of 11.3% this year, once holiday pay and employers’ NI is taken into account. As growers, we should all be keen to see our employees take home a good wage for their hard work, but we have no means of recovering this kind of increase at the point of sale," he warned.

John Laird, of Cairnie Fruit Farm, Cupar, Fife, said: "Brexit is a worry for the fruit industry. If the number of workers is reduced or the process is made more difficult, then we will struggle to survive. Locals are no longer interested in picking so labour must come from abroad.

"After a poor spring when low sunlight and temperature affected the early crop, the summer has vastly improved and the later crops have yielded well and produced sweet fruit," he added. "The fruit season should go on into October."

Peter Thomson, who has 30 ha of fruit on West Haugh and Westfield Farms at Blairgowrie, Perthshire said: “Cherry prices have held up well as the English crop has been less than half of expectation. Blueberries have also held up well as demand is rising over 25% per annum, and supermarkets are also favouring UK fruit over imports. Overall, not too far off 'normal'."

John Brown, of East Yonderton Farm, Renfrewshire, said: “Here in Renfrewshire our pick your own business has again been greatly affected by the climate, although being in the west, this is nothing new.

“Wet weather from the off and throughout the season has greatly affected customer numbers and as a result yields in strawberries are down significantly this year – nearly 25%. Losses down to Botrytis are another major factor. To conclude, difficult season, with disease pressures high throughout. The winner? The weather.”