James Simpson, from Adrian Scripps, one the UK's largest top fruit growers, says it will be a "mixed bag for the industry, with generally less volume, skin finish will not be up to the usual standard but the colour and eating quality are good."
Different varieties have been affected to different extents, Breaburn will be around 25% down, when in fact this variety should be increasing year on year. Cox is expected to suffer a significant drop of 30-40%, where as Gala should see a marginal rise in volume. These wide variations are down to the flowering periods, some of which were hit by frost which affected the blossoms, the dry Spring also played its part as did extended dull periods through the year.
The UK is not the only country in this situation, volumes are estimated to be less throughout Europe and North America.
Simpson says, so far discussions with the supermarkets have been positive they are looking at changing the specifications to maintain volumes on the shelves. The challenge will be to convince consumers to purchase the 'less that perfect' looking fruit.
Simpson reckons that after the Southern Hemisphere season, which saw relatively high prices for top fruit due to markets such as the the Middle and Far East attracting much of the South African fruit, growers in the UK should take the opportunity to maintain these prices. The crop is lighter and growers have had to contend with difficult conditions which means bigger input costs.
Retails will also have their work cut out for them, to convince the consumers to buy the fruit, but there will most certainly be "Buy British" promotions and all effort will be made to ensure the consumer knows the quality of the fruit.
For more information:
James Simpson
Adrian Scripps
Tel: 0044 1892 832406
[email protected]