Jill Witheyman – Angus Soft Fruit:
“We’re seeing excellent berry size, sweetness and overall quality”
Scottish raspberry harvesting began in early June at Angus Soft Fruits, and the season has got off to a very positive start. Favourable growing conditions have supported strong crop development, and growers are now moving into peak production. “Quality has been particularly encouraging, with excellent berry size, flavour and sweetness reported across the crop,” said Jill Witheyman, Head of Marketing.
“Arbroath remains at the heart of our raspberry production and breeding activities. East Seaton Farm, near Arbroath, is home to our breeding trials, agronomy teams and commercial production programmes, where we continue to develop and evaluate the next generation of raspberry varieties. In the UK, we have 60 hectares of raspberry production.”
According to Jill, the season is progressing broadly in line with expectations. “Early raspberry production has now peaked, with later-planted crops coming into production and helping to deliver a smooth transition through the season. Overall, the crop profile has been stable, providing confidence in supply for retailers and consumers alike.”
AVA Dali
Favourable growing conditions
The weather has been good and growing conditions have generally been favourable. Warm temperatures and good light levels have supported strong plant growth and fruit development.
“As always, raspberry growing requires careful management, particularly around harvesting intervals, but overall crop performance and quality have been very encouraging this season. Our flagship variety AVA™ Monet is producing large berries averaging around 9g with a Brix level of 12, delivering the sweet, juicy flavour profile it has become known for. AVA Dali is also performing strongly, with berries averaging around 8g and a Brix level of 12, offering a more traditional raspberry flavour combined with an intense aroma. Both varieties are delivering outstanding appearance, flavour and shelf life.”
ASF grows a range of raspberry varieties across their production programme to ensure continuity of supply throughout the season. AVA Monet and AVA Dali are now established commercial varieties and form an increasingly important part of the premium raspberry offering.
“AVA Monet and AVA Dali are the first raspberry varieties developed through our AVA Berries breeding programme and represent years of research, selection and commercial trials. They were launched in 2024 and named after famous artists because they are true “works of art” – combining outstanding flavour, appearance, yield and sustainability in a way that had not previously been achieved in a single raspberry variety.
“Consumers can already enjoy both AVA Monet and AVA Dali during the British season, with the varieties featured within premium retail ranges. Through our UK and international grower network, production is also expanding to support availability beyond the traditional Scottish season.
Developed and trialled in both Arbroath and Evesham, the varieties were bred specifically to meet the needs of growers, retailers and consumers, helping create a more profitable and sustainable future for raspberry production.
AVA Monet
Benefits across the entire supply chain
“For consumers, they provide exceptional flavour, larger berries and a consistent premium eating experience. For retailers, they deliver outstanding shelf presence, impressive shelf life and strong sales performance. For growers, they offer higher yields, faster picking, lower waste and improved returns.
“AVA Monet in particular has been described as helping to drive a “renaissance” in Scottish raspberries by making the crop more economically sustainable at a time when production costs have risen significantly.
Angus Soft Fruits’ AVA raspberry programme continues to expand rapidly across the UK and internationally. The varieties are now being grown and trialled across Scotland, England, Portugal, Spain, Morocco and several other European countries as part of their strategy to build year-round premium raspberry supply.
More growers coming on board
Demand for both AVA Monet and AVA Dali continues to grow strongly. AVA Monet sold out of plants for both the 2025 and 2026 seasons, demonstrating the level of interest from growers. “We are actively expanding production with existing and new growers across the UK and international growing regions to meet increasing demand.
“The future growth is significant. Expansion plans are already underway across Scotland, England, Portugal, Spain, Morocco and Poland, while additional advanced selections from the AVA breeding programme are progressing through grower trials and are expected to support a year-round AVA raspberry offering in future years.
“Scottish raspberries are renowned around the world for their flavour, and this year’s crop is showcasing exactly why. We’re seeing excellent berry size, sweetness and overall quality. AVA Monet and AVA Dali have exceeded our expectations, delivering outstanding flavour for consumers while providing growers with the yields, efficiency and resilience needed to secure the future of raspberry production. We believe these varieties are helping to write an exciting new chapter for Scottish raspberries.”
For more information:
Jill Witheyman
Angus Soft Fruit
jill.witheyman@goodnaturedberries.com
www.goodnaturedberries.com Publication date: Tue 30 Jun 2026
