British strawberry growers are forecasting a bumper crop this year up by a staggering 11 per cent - thanks to the craze for smoothies. It is expected more than 74,000 TONNES of the popular fruit will be picked at British farms and sent to supermarkets after the season begins. Industry body British Summer Fruits says the predicted increase is down to increased consumer demand, innovative growing methods and the 'smoothie revolution' of the past two years. In the last 12 months, shoppers have spent around £564 million on strawberries alone - around half of total soft fruit sales which have reached a record high of £1.1billion.