The English apple sector is set to deliver “record crops” of Gala and Braeburn this season, while specialist varieties Kanzi, Cameo and Jazz are expected to be harvested at their highest-ever levels in the country, according to new figures to be released today (30 September).
At the formal launch of the English apple season this evening, marketing body English Apples and Pears (EAP) will reveal that Gala volumes have risen by 16 per cent and Braeburn by 17 per cent compared with last season.
EAP chief executive Adrian Barlow told Fruitnet that, if realised, the increases would lead to record crops of both varieties, while he also predicted that the Jazz, Kanzi and Cameo harvests would deliver record volumes.
Ahead of Bramley’s bicentennial anniversary in 2009, Mr Barlow said volumes of the cooking variety had also risen by 10 per cent. However, he warned that doubts remained over whether the increase would be sufficient to meet the expected uplift in demand next year.
Mr Barlow also said overall apple volumes were expected to be in line with Prognosfruit’s August forecast, which predicted a slight overall fall over 2 per cent to 193,000 tonnes compared with 196,000 tonnes in 2007.
But despite the optimism, he admitted that the season had not been an easy one for the sector. Frosts during March have been cited as the likely reason for an expected 10 per cent fall in Conference pear volumes, while cool weather during the summer is expected to lead to smaller apple sizes.
Mr Barlow also called on the UK’s apple marketers and supermarkets to take into account the major increases in production costs this season by ensuring growers receive fair returns. “It is very important that supermarkets realise that growers’ costs have risen hugely in the last year – it’s very important that all our customers appreciate that and ensure that the returns to growers are sufficient to allow for reinvestment,” he said.
No comments yet