“Growth was slow due the low temperatures, but then in July is was very hot and dry which was not good in areas with inadequate irrigation,” explains Barlow. “While the wet August was a hindrance it also put right water deficit.”
Slow growth and good temperature differentials gave the apple fantastic colour and although a wet September hampered harvesting a little most growers are caught up now.
All in all English apples have good taste, skin finish and size. Barlow expects the final volumes to be between 7.5% and 10% up on last year and will be the biggest crop for 20 years.
Barlow is extremely happy that the market share of English apples will increase from 38% last year to 40% this year, all going well with the later varieties.
However the Bramley apple will be down around 20%, Barlow explains that this mainly due to growers grubbing this variety because of low returns. “This demonstrates that if returns are not sufficient to sustain the growing costs and development growers will simply grub.”
He goes on the say that the whole industry needs to be aware of this situation, as the required levels have not yet been reached. There are not enough Bramleys to meet demand but prices have not risen.
English Apples and Pears are continuing a big publicity campaign, with TV spots, radio shows as well as all forms of social media and magazines, according to Barlow it has been a great success.
For more information:
Adrian Barlow
English Apples & Pears
Tel: + 44 1989 564772