Pink Lady® crops are starting to come through from the southern hemisphere with quality and growing conditions reported to be much improved on recent seasons.
South African fruit began arriving in mid-May with early volumes picked in the Freestate area. "In 2002 and 2003, colour was a bit of a problem," said UK Pink Lady® representative Andy Macdonald. "This year the crop is better overall and colour is not a problem at all. South Africa has experienced cooler temperatures in general. Fruit may be slightly smaller, but there has been no major impact on size."
The next southern hemisphere source to come on stream is Chile. Growers in the country are reporting good quality in their crop. "The only question mark this season is over the volumes," said Macdonald. "Apparently they are not going to CA store fruit this year as they have had problems storing it in the past, so we're not really sure about the volumes we'll get.
Australia tends to export to the UK later in the season following on from South Africa and Chile. The same applies to New Zealand although Pink Lady production in the country is not large.
Meanwhile, the Pink Lady® promotional effort is firmly behind the four Pink Lady® Atlantic First rowers. Due to set off in July, the oarsmen aim to break the world record for rowing 21,000 miles west to east across the Atlantic. They were in London last week for a media briefing and to give further details of the apple's association with the British Heart Foundation's Big Red Fightback Campaign. The campaign is held during Heart Week next week and will encourage people to do something good for their heart and raise money for the BHF. The public is being invited to sponsor the rowers as well as make changes to improve health.
"The Pink Lady® message is all about sound health," said Macdonald. "The row will also help raise funds for the BHF which is encouraging us to make simple lifestyle changes that can help improve our health, such as walking up stairs or incorporating more fruit and vegetables into our diet."
To sponsor the crew visit www.bhf.org.uk/sponsor/pinkladyatlanticfirst
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