British Farm Breaks Record, Grows 11,000 Watermelons Despite Rainy July
Oakley Farms, a British farm located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, has achieved a remarkable feat by growing an estimated 11,000 watermelons this year, setting a new production record in the UK. This achievement is even more impressive considering the challenges posed by a rainy July.
Nick Molesworth, the manager of Oakley Farms, acknowledged that growing watermelons is no easy task, especially in the British climate which can be quite challenging. However, through extensive experimentation with different cultivation methods, the farm has succeeded in doubling its previous production record. In 2020, they managed to grow around 5,500 watermelons, but this year they have surpassed that number, reaching an astonishing 11,000.
Oakley Farms supplies its watermelons to Tesco, one of the largest supermarket chains in the UK. Tesco has lauded this year’s harvest as the largest ever produced in Britain, highlighting the significance of Oakley Farms’ achievement.
Mr. Molesworth expressed his satisfaction with this year’s crop, stating, We started growing them after Tesco approached us and offered to work with us on the project, and it made good sense as the crop would fit in perfectly between the production of courgettes in late spring and pumpkins in early autumn. Growing watermelons is a natural evolution for our business.
The success of this year’s watermelon harvest can be attributed, in part, to the guidance of James Cackett, a melon-growing expert. He commended Oakley Farms’ accomplishment, emphasizing the substantial progress they have made over the past few years. Cackett stated, This is a massive achievement by Oakley Farms as their previous production record was around 5,500 watermelons a few years ago, so to double that inside two years is fantastic work.
While the rain in July slowed down production, the experience garnered from previous years has enabled Oakley Farms to achieve a record-breaking volume in watermelon production. The watermelons, priced at £3.49 each for the standard size and £2.50 for the mini size, will be available for purchase in Tesco stores.
The growth of watermelon production in Britain remains a developing industry, with only a handful of producers scattered around the country. Oakley Farms and Tesco have been collaborating on watermelon production for seven years, and their partnership has undoubtedly contributed to the continuous improvement and success of their endeavors.
Despite the initial skepticism surrounding the viability of growing watermelons in the UK, the remarkable achievement of Oakley Farms demonstrates that even exotic fruits can flourish in this temperamental climate. The record-breaking harvest signals a significant milestone for the British farming industry and showcases the dedication and innovation of Oakley Farms in their pursuit of agricultural excellence.
