Volumes of Jazz apples grown in the UK are set to rocket over the next few seasons, with the 2008-09 campaign expected to yield 1,800 tonnes, up from 600t last year.
By 2012, production is predicted to hit the 5,000t mark.
Three years ago, the trademarked New Zealand variety, derived from Royal Gala and Braeburn, was planted by 20 members of Worldwide Fruit (WWF), representing an investment of £5 million - the largest single varietal planting seen for many years.
There are now 216,000 trees in orchards spread across Kent, East Sussex, Suffolk and the West Midlands. Gary Harrison, WWF commercial manager with specific responsibility for Jazz, was able to brief UK growers for the first time and forecast overall annual volumes for the coming seasons.
“The apple appeals to WWF’s major supermarket customers - Tesco, Waitrose, Marks & Spencer and Morrisons - as a premium variety, because of its unique, crunchy taste, high colour and ability to hold its flavour and texture after customers take it home,” he said. “It is stored for four weeks after harvesting to enhance fruit sugars.
“In quality terms, English Jazz has proved that it is as good as imported Jazz, which is a credit to the elite grower group that we have selected. We do not regard it as an English apple, but a truly international winner. Jazz growers across the world are still learning about the best methods of cultivation, and are sharing information to achieve this. Several of WWF’s members have visited orchards in New Zealand and France to enhance further their knowledge of producing the very best Jazz.”
WWF also holds the exclusive growing and marketing rights for the UK from Enza in New Zealand to sell imported Jazz from France, New Zealand, the US and Chile. Year-round continuity of supply has now been established for more than two years, thanks to careful planning and execution of sales.
Harrison revealed that in 2007-08, the total volume of northern-hemisphere Jazz sold in the UK reached 2,500t, of which France accounted for 1,600t, the UK 600t and the US some 300t, with fruit brought in to top up programmes.
“This year, the overall volume will expand dramatically as more orchards increase in maturity,” he added.
No comments yet