Growers’ calls for more support from retailers during the current crisis appear to have been heard, after Tesco declared this week that it would be offering support to those suppliers hit by recent hail storms.
The supermarket leader announced that it has widened its specifications for hail tolerance, meaning more fruit would make it through product testing than would otherwise. Fruit technical manager, Shaun Doherty explained that the fruit will be identified with special labelling explaining the situation.
“We feel a great sympathy for our suppliers and shared our plans to improve their potential returns in a difficult year”, said Martin de la Fuente, senior buying manger.
Meanwhile Tesco also announced that the first English apples will be going on sale this week, marking the start of the season. This marks a significant move forward for the season, with the first crop last year delivered directly to store on August 29.
Tesco branches in Kent will be the first to stock Discovery, a fortnight earlier than last year.
The growers supplying Tesco’s apples this week are John Adams of Beech Farm, Marden in Kent, who markets through Norman Collett with the fruit graded and packed by Bardsley & Sons. The second supplier is Robert Hinge, who farms at Sittinbourne and markets through Worldwide Fruit.
Both growers have been looking to the future by planting gala and braeburn as well as investing in technology.
Tesco buyers touring the orchards prior to harvesting reported being impressed by the quality of the fruit, which they said was well sized and coloured, and the aroma of the fruit on the trees.
Discovery and Worcester will be sold as heritage varieties in Tesco’s range. The first fruit will be on sale at Pembury, Lunsford Park and Gillingham branches and become nationally available from August 5.
No comments yet