Four new varieties grown in the UK have been brought to market, with development focused on resilience to extreme weather and frosty winters
Four new climate-resilient apricots grown in the UK have been launched by fruit supplier Worldwide Fruit and breeder Cot International.
After a decade in development, the new varieties have been bred to thrive in extreme weather conditions and potentially frosty winters, making them suitable for UK growing conditions.
Since 2020, Worldwide Fruit have managed plantings of over 5,000 apricot trees, with varieties red-skinned Rougeot, orange-skinned Delicot, as well as Playacot and Ladycot, now available at UK retailers. Described as late season and self-fertilising, the varieties are said to have sweet sugars and a dynamic flavour profile.
“It’s a busy time of year for our grower base and we are really pleased with our first selection of apricots,” said Hannah McIlfatrick, commercial director at Worldwide Fruit.
“It is a great opportunity to challenge the current markets and bring some disruption to the supermarket shelves with a British offering of outstanding selections that deliver on both quality and flavour.
“This year we have planted more late season Cot International apricot varieties to give even better returns to our UK growers,” she continued.
“With the picking season for apples and pears on the horizon, we really do appreciate the hard work and dedication our UK growers have put into this project to make it a success.”
