In recent months a number of growers in the south-east region have expressed their concern about the future of growing Bramley apples.
A survey covering 18 farms indicates that approximately 460 acres have been grubbed during the past year, with only 55 acres of new planting. Based on average yields, this totals 5,450 tonnes with an average category I gradeout of 65 per cent, which produces 3,560 tonnes for sale via supermarkets. This is quite close to the latest
English Apples & Pears figures covering stocks in January compared to last year. On the indicated volume there will be an ongoing shortfall of fruit for retail sale.
Discussions with growers have revealed their main reasons for reducing production are the exceedingly high specifications applied by the major supermarkets, which make it almost impossible to achieve the gradeouts of 75 per cent that are required on current selling prices to obtain a profitable margin.
With commercial storage rates plus SmartFresh costing £100 per tonne from harvest through to March, plus the escalating price of agri-chemicals, growers who only achieve 60-65 per cent class I are left with a net return on foot-of-ladder basis equivalent to the price paid by processors for peeling quality at harvest time.
Looking ahead we suggest multiples should consider a lower specification, which would assist in producing improved gradeouts, plus higher selling prices. As Adrian Barlow has mentioned, there is no alternative for Bramleys, hence if the price was 5p per kg higher, the housewife would still purchase the same quantity.
In the parish of Marden, which was the heartland of Bramley production for years, three growers have grubbed their orchards and a fourth has reduced theirs by 20 acres.
The situation has become more urgent with the news last week that a supermarket price war seems to have broken out on Bramley apples. Asda has reduced its price to £1/kg and Tesco is selling them at £1.05/kg.
With EAP figures showing stocks of category I Bramleys running at 3,000 tonnes less than in January 2011, supplies are likely to run out prior to this year’s harvest.
Unlike dessert varieties, there is no competition for Bramleys on the shelf and if housewives decide to use the product, price is not the deciding factor.
If supermarkets wish to support the Bramley sector, they need to address the problem now, which would provide confidence for growers to re-plant the lost acreage in order to provide the volume required for a 12-month supply. -
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