English top-fruit growers are battling difficult production conditions ahead of the new season after air frost damage in early March hit crops.

Bramley is set to experience a 10 per cent fall, which may help the crop gain the 20p a kilo increase in price English Apples & Pears CEO Adrian Barlow believes is essential.

The Conference pear crop is also likely to be 10 per cent down while the whole dessert apple crop may be “slightly up” on last year.