Record spring heat triggers berry surge, flooding Tesco and Sainsbury’s shelves with ripe fruit

Thanks to the warmest spring on record, blueberry crops have ballooned across the country, with growers warning shoppers to brace for an unexpected glut on shelves. Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and M&S are among the major supermarkets experiencing this sudden swell of fruit, with strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries all surging in supply.

Blueberry yields alone are up by nearly 25 per cent, and the numbers are staggering. Around 5,133 tonnes of the small fruit are forecast by the end of August—an enormous leap from the 4,187 tonnes harvested at the same time last year. Sales figures are climbing too, rising 9 per cent year-on-year, a sign that consumers are gobbling up the seasonal abundance.

According to Daniel Martin, group commercial director at S&A Produce, the weather has been a game-changer.

“This blueberry season has seen a really positive early start,” he said, noting that the crop is around two weeks ahead of schedule. “Strong light levels and the absence of rain have produced excellent fruit size and even ripening.”

That means shoppers can expect bigger, juicier berries with longer shelf life and, reportedly, superior flavour. It’s good news for consumers—but for growers, the bumper crop is also a logistical challenge.

At Hall Hunter, one of the UK’s largest berry growers, Jim Floor spoke of the promise—and limitations—of automation in the field.

“We’re seeing steady progress in robotic fruit picking,” he explained, “but the technology still isn’t ready for wide commercial use.”

That leaves farms scrambling to harvest manually, racing against ripening times and shelf-life limits. Despite the scale of the harvest, industry leaders are optimistic.

Nick Marston, chair of the British Berry Growers, confirmed the boom isn’t limited to blueberries.

“All UK berry crops—including strawberries, raspberries and blackberries—are up around 25 per cent,” he said. “The weather has been very beneficial for all berry crops.”

Two months ago, major retailers were already preparing for a colossal influx of strawberries, with Tesco, Sainsbury’s and M&S quietly ramping up shelf space. Now, with blueberries joining the party, UK households are likely to see overstocked aisles, falling prices, and more aggressive fruit promotions.

Though most headlines celebrate the abundance, there’s a darker edge: overproduction could mean waste, especially if robotic pickers can’t keep pace and unsold fruit spoils.

Still, producers remain hopeful. With sunshine and timing on their side, the 2025 berry season could be a high-water mark for British agriculture—provided supply chains and supermarkets can keep up.

For now, it’s a buyer’s paradise. Shoppers might want to grab an extra punnet—or ten—while the boom lasts.