Waitrose claims it has received the first delivery of English plums for the 2013 season.
Despite adverse weather conditions delaying the English plum season by approximately three weeks, volumes remain strong, and the retailer says it is expecting a bumper crop from its suppliers' orchards in both Gloucestershire and Kent.
The first-to-market delivery of Herman plums were grown on Castle Fruit Farms in Newent, Gloucestershire, by grower Michael Bentley.
A spokesperson for Waitrose said: 'The varieties of English plum sold in Waitrose change through the limited season and include Opal which is an early variety with red mottled skin and sweet flavour, Reeves Seedling with its beautiful yellow flesh and reddish purple finish, the traditional yellow/-pink blushed Victoria plums available in August and September, before the summer ends with the darker, purple Marjorie Seedling.
'Late varieties of English plums have also been planted by our growers in both Gloucester and Kent to extend the limited UK season.'
English plums will be available in Waitrose stores nationwide from 10 August.
