Norfolk strawberries harvested earlier than ever at Place UK

Place UK, based at Tunstead, near North Walsham, is heating a specialised 2.2-hectare growing structure with a new ground source heat pump, which uses underground water pipes to harness natural heat from the earth.

As a result, the firm's first strawberries of the year will be ready more than two weeks earlier than usual.

The record early start will help the firm in its bid to extend the growing season, and reduce the UK's reliance on imported fruits and berries during the colder months.

And the switch to a more sustainable heat source has also helped to save money during a time of high energy costs.

Pieter van Egmond, managing director at Norfolk fruit growers Place UK (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown)

Place UK's managing director Pieter van Egmond said: "We picked two punnets of strawberries on Tuesday and we are on the verge of the first commercial harvest next week, which would be a record for us.

"We would usually start harvesting in the last few days of April, so this is 2-3 weeks ahead of where we have ever been in the past.

"It has been made possible by investing in a ground source heat pump. The conception of it started before the cost crisis, as we were looking for a more sustainable way of heating, rather than going for the traditional gas option. But it definitely resonates more now given the high costs of energy. 

Place UK production manager Dan Yordanov with the company's record earliest crop of strawberries (Image: Denise Bradley)

"We are trying to extend our season, which feels like the natural thing to do, particularly for strawberries. 

"We believe that consumers prefer UK grown strawberries over the imported alternative.

"Everyone knows the UK strawberries will be softer and sweeter, so it is natural for us to try to extend that season."

Place UK production manager Dan Yordanov with the company's record earliest crop of strawberries (Image: Denise Bradley)