Goatham pear planting

Ross and Clive Goatham were joined by Sainsbury's for the first day of planting

Top-fruit grower AC Goatham has completed the first planting in a new 80-acre Conference pear orchard, in what it claims is the most extensive new planting for the variety in over 40 years.

The new orchard at Goatham’s farm in Elmstone, Kent, will produce close to 60 tonnes – or 20kg of pears per tree – per hectare every year, similar to levels across Europe.

The first yield will be at the third-year point, with the crop expected to reach the top of the post within four years. When all trees are planted, the orchard is set to cover 80 acres.

“Our trials over the past three years have given us the confidence to make this major investment in British Conference pear production for the long-term future of British top fruit,” said grower Clive Goatham.

“We felt if we didn’t do something now to try and stop the decline in British Conference pear growth in the UK, they may disappear from our supermarket shelves altogether.”

Goatham said the orchard will include a new growing structure, coupled with a new shape of Conference pear tree.

“This single trunk tree will have four main fruiting branches. Trees are grown on a double trellis system, which increases light to all of the branches and will produce a stronger and healthier fruit,” he said.

The first day of planting was attended by key customer Sainsbury’s, and Ross Goatham said the retailer’s support has been “instrumental” in the confidence and scale of the new orchard. “We hope this will become a template for the future of British pear orchards,” he said.

In partnership with a local beekeeper, the new pear orchard will also house beehives throughout the year, and the farm team will work with the Kent Wildlife Trust to develop an environmental management plan.

Theresa Huxley of Sainsbury’s said: “It has taken a team with passion and commitment to develop the new Elmstone orchard, which can confidently be claimed to be the most modern Conference pear orchard in the UK.

“Sainsbury’s is proud to be working with growers who are innovating and investing in the future of top fruit growing in Britain.”