The 2012 Bramley crop is forecast to run out by May next year as poor production conditions and a ban on the use of DPA spray combine to limit availability.
Cold wet weather in the spring is mainly to blame. Ian Witherden, orchard manager at Kent grower and processor Fourayes, said: “We are down 42 per cent on our own apple crop on last year. It is the worst year I can remember since 1977 and other farmers in Kent are in the same position.”
The Bramley harvest still has several weeks to run, but reports from other producers are similar. English Apples & Pears CEO Adrian Barlow explained: “Picking is lighter than forecast and sizing has not occurred at the rate expected. We are therefore looking at reduced tonnage on the forecast. I expect it will be more than 20 per cent down in England and in Northern Ireland, about 60 per cent down.”
The cold and wet weather in the province was more severe than in England in the spring, hindering pollination, affecting fruit numbers and size and there have also been problems with scab. Nor have the Northern Irish the same amount of high-quality storage and SmartFresh technology that the English have and years of research to move away from reliance on DPA to control scald for long-term stored fruit.
Barlow said: “The Northern Irish growers have not invested to the same extent and therefore are more exposed. Without the massive investment, we wouldn’t be in as good a position as we are in England.”
Fourayes MD Phil Acock added: “We will have enough apples to supply our regular customers but no more than that.
“That means some supermarkets will run out of Bramley completely by May next year, which is bad news for the consumer.”
No comments yet