Some UK industry representatives predict that the British fruit-growing sector is facing uncertain times due to soaring production costs, dismal returns and a widespread lack of confidence. British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL) released fresh data underlining the ongoing challenges faced by the UK’s leading fruit growers.
It seems that, throughout the last two years, apple producers have experienced a staggering 30% surge in production costs while experiencing a mere 8% rise on returns from supermarkets. BAPL highlighted the unmistakable 'desperation' among its members. Ali Capper, Executive Chair of BAPL: “The volatility in costs has become the biggest challenge faced by growers, many of them out of their control from labour and energy to the ever-increasing cost of the audit burden. We should not be talking about the slow decline of British apple orchards, and generations of family farm businesses at risk of bankruptcy.”
Feedback from British apple growers surveyed by BAPL paints a bleak picture of their predicament. Also, confidence in British apple production has plummeted, with BAPL's survey revealing that 70% of growers feel less assured compared to last year. 45% of the surveyed growers disclosed scaling back their future investment plans.
Source: thescottishfarmer.co.uk