Time for a truly British fruit salad?

While traditional British crops may struggle with a warming climate, exotic crops may be on the up. Worldwide Fruit have recently planted 1,200 kiwi plants in a secret location in Kent. It’s the first commercial trial of the exotic fruit in the UK, and the kiwis could be on your supermarket shelves as soon as 2012.

The kiwi market in the UK is worth £20 million, and with UK consumers increasingly keen to buy British produce, the company are confident there will be plenty of demand. Marks & Spencer’s seem to agree and have given their financial backing to the project. Kiwis are currently imported from countries like Italy, France and Greece. It is hoped the low carbon footprint of the Kent-grown kiwis will be an incentive to replace the imported versions currently sat in our shopping baskets.
 
The scheme has also been welcomed by horticultural experts and researchers who stress that diversification is a wise decision for farmers. But will they taste any good? The biggest threat is frost. Whilst there are no plans to use polytunnels, the company are relying on new technologies that are sprayed on the flowers and young fruit to protect their flavour.

Ten years ago, there were big misgivings that UK Braeburn apples could compete in the world market but now they are regarded by some as the best in the world. The nation’s fruit bowl seems set to evolve but what do you think? Is a shift to exotic crops a step in the right direction or has the prospect of a home-grown kiwi already left a bitter taste in your mouth?

Weak signals posts explore ideas, trends, technologies or behaviour changes that are as yet unrecognised by the mainstream farming industry. They might have a big impact on future farm practices or they might disappear. They help us to challenge assumptions about the future, navigate risk and seize new opportunities. If you spot a weak signal, get in touch and we'll get it on the site.