English apricot growers have predicted a bumper crop this summer.
As the first fruits of the season went on sale on Monday (6 July), early estimates suggest that around 200 tonnes of English apricots will be produced this year, thanks to near-perfect conditions.
This is six times more than the 30 tonnes grown last year – the first English apricot harvest that was commercially available.
Until a few years ago it was thought to be too difficult to produce the fruit for retail in the UK because of the climate - but experts say careful growing has now made this possible.
Tesco stone fruit buyer Henry Maulik, said: 'The apricots we've tested this week are juicy and rich but firm with a nice blush.
'Last year was the first time that growers produced a sufficient quantity of English apricots and the feedback from shoppers on the quality was fantastic.
'We're very proud of the quality of these English apricots and believe that one day they could even be as renowned as British strawberries.'
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