Scotty Brand’s new cherry offering hitting Asda shelves

Scotty Brand has added Scottish cherries to its seasonal berries range for the first time and has secured a listing with Asda, which will see the fruit stocked across Scotland.

Growers Rowan and Jennifer Marshall. Picture: Ian Georgeson Photography.

The firm said the move complements its seasonal Scottish strawberries and raspberries, and follows a rise in homegrown production and good growing conditions.

More than 25,000 packs of Scottish cherries have been grown for Scotty Brand by Peter Marshall & Co at West Jordanstone Farm and Muirton Farm in Perthshire. They will be on sale in 56 of Asda’s Scottish stores.

Scotty Brand noted that in June, the trade body Love Fresh Cherries reported that the UK could expect a strong British cherry season harvest, following a similarly successful crop in 2019.

Jennifer Marshall from Peter Marshall & Co with some of the product. Picture: Ian Georgeson Photography.

The Scotty Brand Scottish cherries are grown on the Marshall’s family farm, which is run by husband-and-wife team Rowan and Jennifer. It has been in the family for four generations, with the Scottish growing season being later than England’s said to fill a gap in the cherry-growing world market.

Scotty Brand added that Peter Marshall & Co is one of the longest-established commercial cherry-growers in Scotland and has been growing the fruit since 2012.

Michael Jarvis, head of marketing at Scotty Brand, said: “Scottish cherries are renowned for being large, juicy and very tasty and we’re delighted to add them to our range for the first time and roll them out across Asda stores in Scotland.”

Rowan Marshall said: “Many people don’t think of cherries being grown in Scotland, but we started growing them in Scotland eight years ago. It’s a real rising star of Scottish fruit growing as the season is perfectly timed to complement the global market.

"The slightly colder climate in Scotland means Scottish cherries are ready from late July, slightly later than the English season which usually finishes in August, and before other global cherry markets start to produce in great volumes.”

Heather Turnbull, Asda’s regional buying manager, Scotland, added: “We are delighted to continue our relationship with Scotty Brand as we stock Scottish cherries for the first time.

"Our commitment to supporting local producers has never been more important and we’re proud to offer customers a quality Scottish product – like the Scotty Brand cherries – to enjoy in season.”

SCOTSMAN.COM

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