The top-fruit industry marked the official start of the English apple and pear season with a launch in London last week.

The trade met at Tower Bridge Walkways on Tuesday to celebrate the record yields of Gala and Braeburn expected this year.

But English Apples & Pears chief executive Adrian Barlow stressed that returns must improve following initial promotions to get the crop moving. He said: “It is extremely important for prices to rise to ensure continued investment in orchards, packhouses, grading facilities and cold stores.

“There is an enormous opportunity for us to increase English production and by so doing, not only will be meet the needs of consumers who say they want to buy British, but we will also respond to government concerns about food security and its aim to increase UK food production by 20-25 per cent in the coming years.”

The launch coincided with increased volumes of the major English varieties coming onto the market, following six weeks of limited supply.

Barlow continued: “As part of this year’s campaign, we have pointed out that the major English varieties are in the shops today, we have maintained that that some supermarkets will be stocking up to 50 varieties of English apple in season and we have made it clear that that by buying English, consumers are not paying over the odds.”

03 October 2009