IFA wants to see fresh fruit on shop shelves as premium quality products

Retailers have been urged to recognise the investment made by the country’s strawberry and fruit growers.

Irish Farmers Association president Eddie Downey said they can do so by ensuring that fresh fruit is seen on retail shelves as a premium quality product and not used as a loss leader in retail wars.

Marking the start of National Strawberry Week (June 4-10)) on Pat Clarke’s fruit farm in Stamullen, Co Meath, the IFA leader said that Ireland’s 100 strawberry growers produce a crop worth €38m at the farm gate, with production expected to reach 8,000 tonnes this year.