Waitrose has pledged its support to UK growers with damaged apple crops by selling hail-marked fruit.

Extensive hailstorm damage to orchards in England has affected about 30 per cent of commercial apple production land, Waitrose estimates. So the chain has said it will still take growers’ crops at a fair price, and highlight to shoppers the reasons for the fruit’s less-than-perfect appearance.

The retailer’s fruit buyer, Tom Richardson, said: “We feel it is even more important than ever to support our British growers. Our apples might not all look perfect this season, but we are confident the overall eating quality will be as good as ever.”

Topics