"Quality and skin finish are very good," explains Ben Bardsley. "Volumes are slightly down on last year which is a shame. We had some tough weather in the spring which has affected stonefruit throughout the UK, cherry and apricot volumes are also down."
The weather is looking good this week, with hot days and cooler nights, which according to Ben is exactly what they need and the plum crop is ripening up well.
"We go through each tree everyday to pick what is ready, so the harvest pace is reliant on the weather."
"Demand in the UK is very good, there are not enough plums around so everyone wants them, we have supermarket programs and also supply wholesale markets. Prices are up on last year which is good," said Ben.
The next varieties to be harvested will be Marjorie, Guinavere and then Haganta,
everything is looking good so far except for the lower volumes.
Harvest will continue until mid September.
For more information:
Ben Bardsley
ben@bardsleyfarms.co.uk