The last week of June brought the highest sales of apricots Marks & Spencer has ever experienced, reported Andrew Sharp, agricultural technical manager, fruit.
The record, which he expected to maintain or even beat in July, coincided with arrivals of orange/red apricots from the Rhône Valley in France.
Sharp told the Journal that M&S's new strawberry, Jubilee, due in commercial volumes next year, was one of a number of new varieties to come.
For the first time, English grown Sweet Briar raspberries will be available in M&S stores. 'We have been importing them from California and Mexico in the winter, but now we have 40 acres in Herefordshire and, given good weather, they will be available in volume from late August through to October,' he said. 'Then we will get supplies from Portugal, also for the first time.' He described English Gala as 'some of the best we see throughout the year', but admitted improvements were needed in storing the fruit.
He was, however, less hopeful for Cox. 'Last year was fantastic for quality, appearance, flavour but it lost out to other varieties with poor grower returns. That is the market speaking, it means other varieties like Gala and Pink Lady are getting preference in family fruit bowls.'
No comments yet