Aldi is set to enhance the sweetness of its blackberries through dedicated breeding efforts, aiming to significantly boost sales this season. Starting on May 21, 2026, all fresh blackberries in Aldi stores will be 100% British-grown.
The prior expectation for Aldi’s blackberry sales was modest. They had already sold over 228 tonnes last year, which is equivalent to around 1.5 million punnets. Yet, the company believes that introducing sweeter varieties could change everything.
Now, what’s changing? Aldi expects blackberry sales to grow by up to 20% this season thanks to these new varieties bred for a naturally sweeter taste. This decisive moment comes after years of collaboration with Driscoll’s, their main supplier, focusing on improving both sweetness and consistency.
Key facts about the new blackberries:
- Aldi will introduce sweeter British-grown blackberries starting from May 21, 2026.
- The blackberries are taste-tested throughout the season and picked at peak ripeness.
- Aldi aims to secure at least 50% of its domestic produce through long-term partnerships by the end of 2027.
Julie Ashfield from Aldi stated, “We expect our blackberries to taste better than ever this season.” This optimism reflects a broader trend in UK horticulture where homegrown fruit gains popularity among consumers seeking quality seasonal produce.
James Crook added that exceptional flavor is the result of years of dedicated natural breeding and selecting only the finest blackberry varieties. But will these efforts translate into higher consumer demand?
The challenge remains: can Aldi truly capture a larger market share in a competitive landscape? With an eye on improving taste and consistency, they seem poised for success—but only time will reveal if these sweeter blackberries resonate with shoppers.