FRESH BERRIES are riding high on consumers’ shopping list, with sales continuing to increase throughout the autumn.

In the past 12 weeks, the value of berries within the value of the UK’s total fresh fruit market has increased to a share of 26%, an increase of 2% from the same 12 week period in 2018. Blackberries and strawberries have experienced the biggest growth in sales value of all the berries during this time, up 23% and 17% respectively.

The berry market has experienced the biggest growth of any fresh fruit in the past year. Overall, the total value of the berry industry is now almost £1.5 billion, an increase of 10% since November 2018, driven by increased consumer awareness berries’ nutritional benefits.

British Summer Fruits’ Dr Emma Derbyshire, said: “Berries are a great healthy snack that offer an abundant source of vitamins, minerals and phyto (plant) nutrients all of which have been linked to a wide range of health benefits.

“Research from the University of Reading has revealed that consuming berries in the morning could sustain or improve cognitive function for up to six hours after consumption. Snacking on punnets of berries is a great and easy way to boost our fruit intake and improve concentration and cognitive performance.”