The capital’s wholesale markets are not being supplied enough British apples and pears and are being forced to sell mostly European imports.
Even at this time of year, when British apples are at their peak, English produce only makes up 20 per cent of apple and pear sales, Western International Market’s business development manager Peter Clarke has said.
Part of the problem is that a lot of the stock is going to the supermarkets, according to Clarke.
“If you look at English apple and pear figures in the supermarkets they’re twice that. Wholesalers would welcome that fruit. It shows growers are running around trying to supply supermarkets.
“I would never say a bad word against supermarkets but a generation of growers have lost contact with wholesale markets and there’s an opportunity there. The prices are competitive.”
"Having just one customer is quite dangerous. The example of English Village Salads (EVS) is a good one."
EVS has been forced to begin consultations on its future after losing a key deal to supply Asda.
Clarke is calling for British businesses that could supply home grown fruit to get in contact to discuss potential opportunities.
