UK-grown Golden Delicious apples went on sale for the first time in almost 20 years at Sainsbury’s stores this week.

The variety is grown commercially in temperate regions of France, Italy and South Africa. However, specialist growing techniques, new packaging technology and better supply chain conditions will see Golden Delicious grown in Suffolk being stocked in 90 Sainsbury’s stores from this week.

A small amount of Golden Delicious is grown in UK orchards as a pollinator, but its thin skin has made it almost impossible to supply to supermarkets until now, according to Sainsbury’s.

The retailer said its close relationship with its supply base and excellent chilling supply chain gives it the ability to treat these apples as “the freshest of fresh fruit, to be eaten when the flavour is at its best”.

Britain’s cold climate allows for slower ripening than on the continent, and the cold weather in May, followed by a scorching July and wet August, has enhanced growing conditions this year.

Sainsbury’s apple technologist Peter Czarnobaj said: “New technology, and our growers’ expertise are combining to create commercial crops in the English countryside which would have been unthinkable just five years ago.

“Our suppliers are at the forefront of fresh produce development - and their work is changing all of the old rules about what can be grown where.”

Sainsbury’s sells over 16 million Golden Delicious apples every year and says the move is part of a drive to encourage innovation in the British fresh produce industry, helping to create new market sectors and boosting the UK economy.

Already this year, Sainsbury’s growers have produced the first commercial crop of apricots and kiwifruit to be grown in the UK, and the supermarket has also supported production of British cherries and wintertime tomatoes.

UK-grown Golden Delicious will be available in Sainsbury’s stores in London and East Anglia from this week, priced at £1.99 for four.

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