Fruit

Fruit: The pick of the crop

Those who know their fruit will tell you Scotland produces some of the best quality (and best tasting) fruit in the world; from our much loved strawberries to our well known apples. 

Meeting Demand

Having a landscape suited to fruit growing explains why more than 2,000 hectares has been given over to berry growing alone. To this, add 160 hectares of apple orchards (22% higher than the five-year average in 2023). Rising awareness of eating more healthily meant overall UK revenue from fruit growing was predicted to top £991m in 2023. Whether it's enjoying the raw product or making jams, preserves, juices or snack bars, Scotland is hitting the mark. 

Innovation of a classic

Around 69% of Scotland’s fruit is grown under polytunnel conditions, protecting it from harsher weather while allowing native pollinators to do their vital work. The increased use of polytunnel growing means Scotland’s soft fruit growing season has extended from March to late October – increasing the availability of some types of fruit. While fruit growers aim for product that meets certain colour, size, shape and volume criteria, we’re also championing food waste through capitalising on ‘wonky’ fruit categories.

Supported by our landscape and climate

Not only is the soil here ideal for soft fruits, apples and more, but the water is some of the purest on the planet. Our cooler weather, especially during the all-important summer months, suits certain types of fruit particularly well. 

As Lochy from Angus Soft Fruits explains: “Growing berries here – it’s world renowned. What we have on the coast of Scotland is a cool sea breeze. Then you have nice cool nights which slow the ripening, producing a much sweeter flavour.”

Quality Assurance

Whatever the look of the fruit grown and sold here in Scotland, the standards in place to ensure its quality are always exacting. There’s input from quality assurance experts at Food Standards Scotland, Red Tractor and the British Retail Consortium, as well as from research institutions like James Hutton Institute, Scotland’s Rural College, and the University of Aberdeen. Adding weight to the quality of Scottish fruit are trade bodies including the National Farmers Union of Scotland, Food and Drink Federation, the Soil Association and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.