Soft Fruit Grower of the Year 2004

Finalists
Alan Firmin LTD

In the grand scheme of things, soft fruit is a new addition to the Alan Firmin portfolio. Farming (top fruit, arable and sheep) began in Maidstone, Kent back in 1944, but it was not until the 1960’s that the first land with strawberries already growing on it was bought. However the crop was short lived and abandoned six years later. In 1996 they were back on the menu with the planting of five acres and a table top system following two years later. Today 25 acres are devoted to strawberries and by the end of this year this figure is expected to have risen to 41. Brian Tompsett and his assistant Galin Savov are responsible for both the top fruit and soft fruit.

Elsanta is the main crop but last year Diamante cropped at 14t/acre and Driscoll Jubilee at 10t/acre. Growing under tunnels allows picking from the first week in May through to September. Around 6 acres is given to the top table system double cropped with Elsanta achieving the equivalent of 26t/acre and within the next two years this area is due to expand.

Around 75% is sold to Marks & Spencer with Tesco and other multiples taking the remainder. Revenue is close on £1m and should improve as raspberries are added to its offer.

Charles Gaskain, Gaskains LTD

The soft fruit produced by Charles Gaskain at the family business, Gaskains LTD in Selling, Kent ranges from strawberries, raspberries, plums, cherries and blackcurrants. The majority is destined for Marks & Spencer along with the top fruit also grown on the farm.

The key word for the fruit produced by the Gaskains is “taste” but good relationships with its business colleagues like Sainsbury, Marks & Spencer, and the Summerfruit Company cannot be underestimated. Working with Glaxo Welcome the farm planted 132 acres of blackcurrants five years ago and has now embarked on an organic trial which so far is looking promising. Following an initiative with Marks & Spencer the company will be moving to RfiD (tagging technology) and will be shortly undertaking its ETI audit.

Packhouse investments have taken the form of heat sealing being introduced and this will be enhanced throughout this year.

Investments have recently been made in the long cane raspberry production and by the end of this year 36 acres will be down to tunnelled raspberries. Of the 78 acres of strawberries produced 17 are down to the double cropping table top system and the variety Elsinore is currently being evaluated.

Winner
Andrew Boxall, H A Boxall & Son

Farming in Sutton Valence in Kent since 1930, the Boxall family is not only proud of its Cox and Bramley orchards but also of its standing in the soft fruit industry as it produces strawberries and raspberries for Asda and Well-Pict European.

Andrew Boxall and his wife Elaine employed over 40 staff last year many of whom are local and have worked with the family over two generations.

As well as fruit packed from the Sutton Valence farm, the business also packs for five neighbouring farms.

Production efficiency is paramount for Andrew Boxall who has developed bespoke techniques to maximise quality and quantity of fruit. His table top system is now used by other growers because it is affordable and easy to erect and it can be used to hold any type of growing media. Machinery has been either adapted to the table-top system or designed specifically. This includes a sprayer which, because of its increased efficiency of application, has meant less chemical is needed. This along with the introduction of biological controls has resulted in 2003 being  the most disease-free year to date.

Glasshouse production is playing an increasingly important role in the bid to harvest early crops but also plants in a heated Portuguese tunnel were ready for picking in April 2003, three weeks earlier than expected.

For this year the company expects to harvest around 180 tons of strawberries of Everest, Elsants, Diamente and Flamenco and will be expanding its pot and pipe system. It is also building a reservoir, expanding its packhouse and continuing research work with Becker Underwood looking at the possible yield increases associated with the use of mycorrhiza in the growing media.

The rising popularity of raspberries has presented Andrew Boxall with another opportunity he is taking advantage of. Last year he planted another 5 acres of Tulameen, Joan Squire and Polka bringing the total crop to 7 acres with an expected 2004 yield of 25 tons.

August 2004

Source: http://www.wellpict-countylocal.com/

Well Pict County Local - Top fruit and soft fruit grower, packer, distributor and marketeer in Kent