To sum up the English apple harvest, one word seems to be adequate, wet. But that does not mean it was a disaster. According to Mark Culley Managing Director at The Orchard Fruit Company & OrchardWorld, it was challenging.
“We had a good crop with good quality and we’re quite happy with it, some growers did have less volumes but we fared okay.”
According to Mark the storage quality should still be good and they will still have English apples into May next year.
“Storage techniques are improving allowing us to store apples for longer. We will have Royal Gala until late May and Breaburn until early May, this is around 3-4 weeks longer than last season.”
Last year the company exported apples to Asia and Scandinavia but won’t be doing so this year as market prices are not suitable. It is also a risk putting apples out in containers for weeks after such a wet harvest.
Poland had a disastrous season with severe frost which had some growers see up to 50% losses in volume. Although the varieties from Poland are not sold in all European markets, having such a drop in volume bolstered the European market.
For more information:
Mark Culley
The Orchard Fruit Company & OrchardWorld
T: +44(0)1206 848621