Bramley sales continue to fly this season, with February 16 figures showing a 15 per cent increase year on year to the processing and fresh sectors.
English Apple & Pears ceo Adrian Barlow is hopeful, however, that a feared shortage for the fresh market in late June-early July could have less impact than initially thought.
The weather patterns in the UK in the last few weeks have been helpful for growers, he told FPJ, and although there is a long way to go and frosts could still rear their heads, the industry has its fingers crossed that at least some of the shortfall will be dragged back with early new-season fruit.
“It remains highly likely that, thanks to the fantastic uptake of fruit so far this season, there will be a shortage for the fresh market at the end,” said Barlow. “It should only cover a couple of weeks, and it should not affect the processing market, but it is inevitable for fresh customers sadly. But it could be that we have a very early season, if this weather holds up, and that would reduce the scale of the shortfall.”
Barlow is in the process of piecing together a huge promotional push for the cooker in 2009, which is the variety’s bicentenary year. “We already have a strong promotional programme planned, and there will be a series of events around the country,” he said.
“We obviously need a good crop in 2008-09 to support that, and in the season after to enable us to continue the momentum we have created.”
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