The secondary launch of the English apple season gets underway this weekend with the main focus on Braeburn and newer premium varieties Cameo, Jazz, Kanzi and Rubens. “The message is that English Braeburn is now available,” said Adrian Barlow, ceo of promotional body English Apples & Pears. “Volumes are slightly down on last year at just over 11,000 tonnes, but that is purely weather-related. Fruit colour and appearance are very good.” Barlow added that gradeout to class I is particularly good and that English Braeburn is likely to be available until May. Rubens will be on the market for the next six weeks and Cameo, Jazz and Kanzi from the UK will run until the first week in May. “We are targeting regional and national TV and radio and we are hoping to get our message across and remind consumers that English apples are out there.”
