Farmers grow rich on blueberry boom

It is blue, bursting with goodness and might just be the future of British farming. The once humble blueberry is quickly becoming a cash crop as farmers gear up to meet soaring demand for the so-called 'superfood'.

Two years ago a clutch of almost breathlessly enthusiastic health studies revealed that the fruit was packed with so much goodness and vitamins that blueberries achieved almost mythic status among foodies and nutritionists. Once seen as little more than a perfunctory pie filling, the berry has become Britain's most fashionable fruit, with sales rocketing by 132 per cent since 2005.

That phenomenal increase in demand has led to a trebling of growers in the past two years, as blueberries have established themselves as a realistic commercial venture for farmers. Retail analyst AC Nielsen reports that, in the 12 months to May 2005, Britons spent £40m a year on the fruit. In the 12 months to May 2007, sales soared to £95m a year.

'In the last two years our sales have quadrupled and we have been talking to British farmers encouraging them to grow them,' said Tesco blueberry buyer Andrew Gaunt. 'Britain's love affair with blueberries has come as a direct result of health reports hailing them as one of the world's most beneficial superfoods.'

Experts say blueberries contain antioxidants that help the circulation, keep the heart healthy and make skin look youthful. Some nutritionists also believe that dark-coloured berries help protect against cancer, heart disease and even ageing. Supermarket buyers predict that blueberries could soon rival bananas and strawberries as the nation's favourite fruit. It helps that blueberries are versatile; apart from being eaten raw, they can be served up in a dessert, baked or turned into smoothies.

reference http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2147121,00.html