British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL) has announced a partnership with Oxbury Bank, a UK-based agricultural bank, to provide financing options for orchard development and equipment investment.
The initiative aims to support British growers in modernising and expanding their operations, aligning with BAPL's goal for 60% of apples sold in the UK to be domestically grown by 2035.
© British Apples & Pears
Under the agreement, Oxbury will offer tailored loans and asset finance products for the top fruit sector. The financing will cover orchard planting, harvesting, grading, and packing equipment, with options including up to 100% funding of establishment costs, interest-only and drawdown features, and no early repayment fees.
Ali Capper, executive chair of British Apples & Pears Limited, said: "British apple and pear growers are investing for the future, but they need access to finance that understands their business. This partnership with Oxbury Bank is about ensuring that our growers can modernise, replant, and expand with confidence."
© British Apples & Pears
She added that access to these financial products depends on long-term supply contracts. "Crucially, access to these competitive loans depends on secure, multi-year supply arrangements — so we're calling on retailers to commit to long-term partnerships that give growers access to these products and the security they need to invest," she said.
Oxbury Bank, which focuses on serving the UK food and farming industries, said the collaboration was intended to help strengthen domestic fruit production. Managing director Nick Evans stated: "Our Farm Loans and Asset Finance products are built to help growers invest in new orchards and the equipment that drives efficiency and productivity. Together, we can help secure the future of British fruit growing and strengthen the UK's food resilience."
Finance applications are subject to status and require a grower-packer corporate retailer supply contract of at least 10 years.
For more information:
Louise Raisbeck
British Apples and Pears
Tel: +44 (0) 7966 688063
Email: [email protected]
www.britishapplesandpears.co.uk
