Berry Consultancy Group promotes soft fruit growing innovation with tailored growing advice, sustainable solutions and practical research. As an independent consultancy, we are fully specialised in growing soft fruit, including strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries. Our strength lies in connecting scientific insights with daily practical experience, so growers can benefit directly from effective and forward-looking strategies. Whether it concerns variety selection, fertilisation, climate control or crop protection: we offer support at every level of the cultivation process. In addition, we are constantly involved in innovation projects and pilot schemes that contribute to resilient, efficient and profitable soft fruit cultivation. In this way, we not only help companies move forward today, but build tomorrow's cultivation together.
Soft fruit growing innovation is about developing and applying new techniques, insights and growing strategies within soft fruit production. This not only involves technology, but also smart adjustments in working methods, crop choice, planning and environmental management. Through continuous innovation, growers can respond to changing market demands, climate challenges and stricter sustainability requirements.
Innovation helps improve fruit quality, increases production efficiency and makes farms more resilient. Consider the use of sensors, data analysis, sustainable crop protection products and varieties with higher resistance or better shelf life. These innovations provide a solid competitive advantage and contribute to forward-looking operations. Innovation also means thinking ahead. The soft fruit sector faces major challenges: climate change, stricter regulations around crop protection, changing consumer preferences and increasing pressure on cost price management. By proactively responding to these with innovative solutions, growers can distinguish themselves.
Berry Consultancy Group helps growers do this by not only providing technical support, but also strategic thinking about the entire cultivation system and business operations. Our personal approach is fully tailored to the type of farm, growing conditions and commercial goals of the grower. Our advice starts with a thorough analysis of the existing situation, followed by practical and feasible points of improvement.
Within crop advice, we focus on several pillars, including crop planning, fertilisation and watering, climate control and sustainable crop protection. Each component is considered in relation to specific crop needs and growing conditions. This integral approach enables growers to achieve faster results, resulting in healthy plants and optimal yields.
An important component of our work is improving the grower's own understanding of cultivation techniques. We share knowledge and guide growers in interpreting data such as climate measurements, soil analysis and plant observations. As a result, growers make better decisions that contribute to more sustainable and economically profitable operations. Evaluating and introducing new varieties also plays an important role. We test and assess new varieties for productivity, taste, storability and ease of cultivation so that our customers are always ahead in their market segment.
Climate control plays an increasingly important role in modern soft fruit growing. In closed or semi-closed growing systems, such as greenhouses or tunnels, it is possible to control temperature, humidity, CO₂ and light spectrum very accurately. Berry Consultancy Group advises on optimising these factors, with the aim of achieving the most efficient growth and fruiting. To do so, we use the latest technologies, including sensors, automatic climate computers and models that predict growth patterns. By correctly interpreting and applying this data, growers achieve better results with less input.
Future-proof cultivation starts with sustainable choices. Berry Consultancy Group supports growers in developing strategies that combine economic goals with ecological responsibility. We advise on reducing input flows such as energy, water and fertilisers, and help set up cultivation systems that are less dependent on external resources. Think of circular water use systems, renewable energy sources and biological alternatives to fertilisers and crop protection products.
Varietal development also plays a role in sustainability. By choosing varieties that are naturally less susceptible to diseases or more resistant to heat and drought, it becomes possible to achieve stable production with fewer resources. These strategies make companies not only greener, but also economically stronger. After all, investors, retailers and consumers are increasingly demanding sustainability, and an innovative approach allows growers to meet these demands while differentiating themselves in the market.
Besides providing advice, we also conduct practice-oriented research, often in collaboration with growers, research institutes and supply chain partners. These studies focus on improving plant resilience, optimising growing conditions and refining cultivation techniques. For instance, we test how different cultivation strategies, varieties or crop protection products perform under field conditions.
Wondering what we can do for your soft fruit farm? Then feel free to contact us for an informal talk. We would be happy to help you come up with a cultivation strategy that matches your ambitions. With our combined approach of advice and research, we support companies in achieving maximum yields, quality and future-proof soft fruit growing innovation.
