What tastes a cross between a raspberry and blueberry, is packed full of healthy compounds and is suited to cold climates? Growers in Scotland heard about the business potential of honeyberries - a new \'superberry\' from Siberia and Japan – as part of the Scottish Society for Crop Research and Bulrush Horticulture Soft Fruit Information Day, held with the attendance of breeders, growers and industry representatives.
Stewart Arbuckle, from soft fruit firm P. A. Arbuckle & Sons and planter of Scotland\'s first orchard of honeyberries, said the berry is very easy to grow and offers the added benefit of being the first one to fruit in the season – about 10 to 14 days earlier than local native strawberries, which enhances Scotland’s capabilities to become the world’s premium growing honeyberry region.
LoveHoneyberry Solutions consultant Logie Cassells, who also spoke at the event, added: “We are pushing for more growers to plant them this year, as Scotland’s climate is perfect for them. An aim of 5,000 acres over the next 10 years is ambitious, but achievable. Honeyberry orchards can achieve revenues from £10,000 to £25,000 an acre, depending on your aims, passion and drive.”
Rex Brennan, soft fruit breeder at the James Hutton Institute, said researchers are collaborating with P.A. Arbuckle & Sons in the propagation of honeyberries and are open to explore new types of soft fruits and their nutritional and commercial possibilities.
“Honeyberries originate from northern Asia, notably Siberia, and the blue-coloured fruit is of increasing interest due to its very desirable qualities, including very high levels of anthocyanin pigments. This has led to commercial production in places such as Canada and now the UK.”
Alison Dolan, secretary of the SSCR soft fruit subcommittee, commented: “As market trends evolve and diversify, the Society is glad to present new alternatives to soft fruit growers and industry. We welcome this presentation about the advantages of honeyberries and hope it will be useful for our members.”
In addition to SSCR, Bulrush Horticulture and the James Hutton Group, trade exhibitors at the soft fruit conference included Agralan Ltd, Brinkman UK Ltd, Clydesdale Trading Society, Fargro Ltd, LoveHoneyberry, Omex Agriculture, Ripple Aquaplast and XL Horticulture.
James Hutton Institute
The James Hutton Institute is a world-leading scientific organisation encompassing a distinctive range of integrated strengths in land, crop, waters, environmental and socio-economic science. It undertakes research for customers including the Scottish and UK Governments, the EU and other organisations worldwide. The institute has a staff of around 600 and 150 PhD students.
