New Christine variety produces 86% Class I fruit; AFI also impressed by Nicola Season set to be one of the earliest on record The main English strawberry crop is running ahead of last year and will be one of the earliest on record according to Ian Waller, sales director of soft fruit marketing organisation AFI. He was attending a farm walk with some 20 growers to discuss the season and take the opportunity of sampling some of the newest varieties now supporting Elsanta. Peter and Simon Brice, of the Mockbeggar producer organisation, who grow 120 acres of strawberries in north Kent, are moving the season forward by planting an early variety, Christine, developed by breeder Dr Derek Jennings in 1995. Grown under tunnels, picking began last week, and is already reaching half a tonne per acre. "We are getting 86% Class I fruit which is very impressive," said Simon Brice. "It crops seven days before Elsanta and keeps its size." This variety will fruit for around four weeks. Douglas Kemp, chairman of AFI, the specialist division of the Redbridge Group, is also impressed with the results being achieved by another newcomer, the main crop variety Nicola. This was also bred by Jennings and is already fruiting. It is similarly sized to Christine this season but more acidic with a stronger taste. {{FRESH PRODUCE }}

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