tesco strawberries warning: Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons Sell Massive Berries for Wimbledon

Shoppers at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer (M&S), Asda, and Morrisons have been alerted to an extraordinary bumper crop of “giant” strawberries flooding UK supermarkets this summer, with growers describing the phenomenon as unlike anything seen in nearly two decades.

This season’s strawberries are exceptionally large, with some so big they may not fit in consumers’ mouths, prompting warnings from UK growers who told The Guardian they’ve “never seen anything like it”. Bartosz Pinkosz, Operations Director at the Summer Berry Company, attributed the oversized berries to unique weather patterns, stating, “We had the darkest January and February since the 70s but then the brightest March and April since 1910. From March onwards it was really kind of perfect for tunnel strawberries. The berries are between 10% and 20% larger”.

Pinkosz noted that their strawberry plants are yielding “giant” 50g berries, describing them as fruits you “cannot fit in your mouth”. Nick Marston, Chair of British Berry Growers, which represents nearly all British producers, echoed this sentiment, saying, “What we are now seeing is something I have never seen in 19 years, which is consistently larger berries”.

The remarkable size of this year’s crop is due to ideal growing conditions. Marston explained, “The very nice sunshine, the cool overnight temperatures, are ideal for fruit development”. He added, “The slower the development of the fruits, the more time to expand the cells and create the bigger berry”. Strong bee pollination and abundant sunshine have also contributed to the berries’ impressive size, shape, and appearance.

Marston highlighted the superior quality, stating, “We’re seeing very good size, shape, appearance, and most of all, really great flavour and sugar content, which is what consumers want when they buy British strawberries”. Some berries are so large they rival the size of plums or even kiwi fruits, with Marston noting, “It has been a perfect start to the strawberry season for us… I have genuinely never seen a harvest produce such large berries consistently”.

Despite the optimism, Marston expressed concerns about potential challenges, warning that water shortages could pose problems for some growers later in the season, especially after a drought alert was issued. He remained cautiously optimistic, stating, “I’m always a little cautious of saying strawberries are 20% bigger because there’s an average involved and some crops will be slightly smaller than others”.

The Dutch strawberry variety Elsanta dominated the UK market due to its disease resistance and high yields. However, many consumers found Elsanta bland, prompting growers and retailers to seek tastier alternatives. This year’s crop, with its enhanced flavour and sugar content, appears to meet consumer demands for a more satisfying strawberry experience.

The bumper crop comes just in time for Wimbledon in July, where tennis fans will enjoy these oversized strawberries with cream or sugar. The All England Club, which hosts the tournament, ensures quality, stating, “Our world-famous berries are hand-picked and delivered to the All England Club each morning where they are inspected by our Food & Drink team to make sure only the best are served to our guests”.

2025 Strawberry SeasonA Sweet Summer Ahead

As UK shoppers flock to supermarkets to experience these supersized strawberries, growers remain excited yet vigilant, balancing record-breaking harvests with potential water supply challenges. With Wimbledon on the horizon, these “giant” berries are set to steal the show, offering tennis fans and fruit lovers alike a taste of something truly unprecedented.