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Angus Soft Fruits, Scottish berry grower and supplier, has been announced as a winner at the Horticulture Week Business Awards, which recognise excellence across the UK’s horticulture industry.

Angus Soft Fruit’s AVA Star strawberry, recognised for high-quality taste, texture and appearance, has won the top prize in the ‘best new edible crop variety’ category. Developed by Angus Soft Fruits’ research and design division, Angus Innovate, AVA Star has been carefully bred to have improved taste, texture, appearance, disease resistance and yield to existing varieties. This exceptionally flavoured day neutral strawberry yields up to one month longer than other varieties, significantly extending the season to satisfy not only the grower, but consumers and retailers as well.

Dave Griffiths, Angus Soft Fruits research director and head breeder said, “It’s a great achievement to have won ‘best new edible crop variety’ at this year’s Horticulture Week Awards. It’s taken years of hard work to develop the AVA Star strawberry, so to be recognised for what we know to be a high-quality product that’s popular with retailers and customers alike makes it all worthwhile.”

Meanwhile, Allen Innes, farm manager at Angus Soft Fruits’ East Seaton farm in Arbroath was highly commended in the ‘soft fruit grower of the year’ category.

Lochy Porter, managing director of Angus Soft Fruits and owner of East Seaton farm where Allen Innes is farm manager, said: “What a season it’s been for AVA Berries – congratulations to the whole team for their commitment and dedication over the past few years to develop this incredible tasting strawberry. We couldn’t have done it without them.

“Congratulations also to Allen, he is well-deserving of this commendation and we’re incredibly proud to have him as our farm manager.”