€77m berry market growing rosier and rosier

THE growing Irish berry market is valued at €77 million a year, according to the latest Bord Bia figures.

Retail sales of blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, currants and gooseberries increased by 53% in the past year to a current market value of €32m while strawberries are worth a further €45m annually.

Blueberries alone are worth over €18m, a sharp increase from 2006 when they were worth €5m.