The National Fruit Show is shaping up to a big success, buoyed up by the strong performance of the UK top fruit sector, claimed chairman Robert Mitchell.
He said the show would reflect the optimism of the sector: “I think top fruit growers are in much better shape than they have been for the last few years.
“Good yields and prices have built up their confidence and the result has been in many cases they have started to reinvest in new orchards and storage facilities.”
The increased acceptance of varieties like Gala, Braeburn and, more recently, Jazz and Cameo had shown the industry had responded to modern tastes and was moving forward.
This years show, held on October 20-21, will be in a new purpose built pavilion on the Kent County Showground in Detling.
He said the show’s organisers, the Marden Fruit Show Society, had also been successful in filling the entire 3,000 square metre exhibition area.
Competition fruit will also go to the Kew garden’s autumn festival following the show. The main sponsors of the NFS this year will be Tesco and Norman Collett, alongside Bayer CropScience.
Charlotte Wright, Tesco’s senior buying manager, said: “Tesco is delighted to sponsor the National Fruit Show and be associated with some of the finest growers in the top fruit industry.”
Sainsbury’s will be sponsoring the show’s annual dinner at Leeds Castle on October 20, with the pre-dinner reception sponsored by Orchard World.
Mitchell added: “I think this is proof that the show is supported by a wide section of our industry.”
