Blueberries are outselling strawberries

For the first time, shoppers have spent more money on blueberries than on strawberries.

This year, the total spend on blueberries has outstripped the spend on strawberries by 20 % at Waitrose.

Last week's sunny spell saw sales of blueberries jump 181 % on last year, while strawberry sales increased by just 16 %.

A Waitrose spokesman said: "There is a deeper trend going on here. People are buying them for their health benefits and because they require no preparation whatsoever." So-called lazy fruits have shot up in popularity in recent years as commuters in a rush and fussy eaters embrace foods that don't get the eaters' hands dirty.

British Summer Fruits indicates that 11.000 tons of blueberries was sold last year. Thanks to a perfect growing season and an increasing number of farmers embracing the fruit, Britain's blueberry crop surged by 305 per cent. It the trend continues Britain will produce more blueberries than raspberries within a year or two.

source : telegraph co uk