This year's UK apple crop will taste sweeter than last year's batch due to a prolonged spell of warm weather, according to Morrisons.
The Bradford-based retailer said its top-fruit growers are reporting an increase in sugar levels, juice content and the redness of apple skins.
Andrew Garton, director of fresh produce at Morrisons, said: “The great summer we’ve experienced this year has produced a sweeter tasting crop and our close work with farmers has allowed us to introduce new varieties for our customers to enjoy.”
Despite the season expected to be around two weeks late, the big-four retailer anticipates the UK apple season to be extended and said it will stock more English apple varieties than ever before in 2013, with new varieties including Envy and Galmac arriving on shelves.
Adrian Barlow, chief executive of English Apples & Pears, added: 'Growers are still keeping their fingers crossed that the amount of sunshine in September will create good growth of apples in the final weeks of this unusually late season.”
The first apples of the season, Discovery, are now on sale.
