“Although the weather has been wet in the last few weeks it has not really held back the picking,” explains Simpson. “In fact the wet days have allowed time for the different varieties to ripen, so it has been a steady harvest period.”
Sizes this year have been consistent with a smaller range of sizes in each of the varieties which is ideal for the retail market. Although this does differ for each variety. Gala have been larger in general with Kanzi and Breaburn on the smaller side.
This has been the first year that Adrian Scripps has had commercial volumes of the Red Prince apple, a large red crunchy apple, of which they hold the exclusive UK licence to along with Kanzi.
“This is a large late red variety, which will be stored before going on the supermarket shelves next May, June and July. This variety is all part of a move to have English apples on the shelves for 12 months of the year,” according to Simpson.
At Adrian Scripps farm in Kent they have state of the art DCA storage facilities allowing them to store these, and other apples for months without adverse affect to freshness and quality.
Simpson said that this year is the first time Kanzi apples have been on UK supermarket shelves for 12 month of the year. These were grown by Adrian Scripps as well as imported.
In general the UK apple market has stayed competitive this season, largely due to the supermarkets having consistent offers on English apples, Simpson says this is not a bad thing and growers and retailers have agreed a good price level.
During the English season, retailers prefer to have domestic apples on the shelf and if the quality is there they will always take home grown before imports according to Simpson.
Looking to the future he said there will be some new varieties coming along as well as further investment in the packing facilities at the farm.
For more information:
James Simpson
Adrian Scripps Ltd
Office +44(0)1892 832406
Mobile +44(0)7734 066366