Aldi announces major fruit change across all 1,050 UK stores
The German supermarket giant made the announcement on Tuesday, May 5.
Aldi has announced a major change from this month in good news for fruit lovers. The German supermarket giant, which has more than 1,050 stores across the UK, has promised to bring sweeter British-grown blackberries to its shelves from May, when they start to go on sale across all branches in the country.
The retailer says that by working closely with its suppliers, including its main blackberry supplier Driscoll’s, it is introducing carefully selected varieties bred for a naturally sweeter, less tart taste. Aldi sats it expects blackberry sales to increase by up to 20% this season with improved sweetness driving demand, after selling more than 228 tonnes last year.
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The grocery chain pledged that all fresh blackberries in Aldi stores will be 100% British-grown, which it said will give shoppers "greater access to homegrown fruit as the season gets underway this summer".
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Berries that appear on shelves are taste-tested throughout the season then picked at peak ripeness so flavour is consistent, the firm says.
British Blackberries initially arrive in selected stores from the start of May, before being rolled out nationwide on May 21.
Julie Ashfield, chief commercial officer at Aldi UK, said: “We expect our blackberries to taste better than ever this season.
"By working closely with our British suppliers to improve sweetness and consistency, we’re making sure customers can enjoy the very best of homegrown fruit and keep coming back for more.”
James Crook, customer development director at Driscoll’s, said: "Exceptional flavour is the result of years of dedicated natural breeding and selecting only the finest blackberry varieties.
"By working closely with Aldi, we are able to grow and harvest fruit at the optimal moment, delivering British blackberries that are naturally sweeter, more succulent, and consistently high quality throughout the season.”
Meanwhile, Aldi recently confirmed plans to increase the number of long-term agreements with UK produce and horticulture suppliers, aiming to secure at least half of its domestic produce through long-term partnerships by the end of next year.
