The Covent Garden Market Authority (CGMA) aimed to remind UK growers that there is a “real demand” for quality English apples in the catering sector at its National Fruit Show stand.
Helen Evans, CGMA information officer said the organisation is trying to set up a one-off forum before the end of the year where wholesalers can “thrash it out” with growers.
She said: “One of the key reasons for coming is to keep wholesale markets at the forefront.
“The growers need to know there are other channels of distribution, and that their options include wholesale as well as retail.
“There is a real demand for quality English apples in the catering sector - and a lot of UK growers have not woken up to the fact that there is growth to be had through the foodservice sector.”
UK growers need to put more emphasis on the quality of product they send into wholesale markets and the way it is presented, according to Evans, pictured.
She said: “British apple displays don’t always have the same attention to detail as those of French product - and it would be nice to see UK growers putting more care and attention into packaging and presentation.
“The pride that emanates from French apples, all stickered in neat trays, shows up British product, which I have seen loose in New Zealand boxes. And this is shame because we have great product here.”
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