Sainsbury's has sold the most amount of English apples and pears of any UK retailer this season, according to figures released by industry body English Apples & Pears.
The big-four supermarket, finishing the season in the top spot for the fifth year running, sold over 31,000 tonnes of top fruit, achieving a market share of over 30 per cent.
The season, which ran fom August 2012 to July 2013, saw Sainsbury's support top-fruit growers by selling visually imperfect fruit, and the retailer says that the Gala variety was the most popular among consumers, with 8,000 tonnes sold.
Theresa Huxley, Sainsbury's apple and pear technologist, says the retailer is leading the way due to its long-term relationships with growers.
She explained: 'Being number one for the fifth consecutive year is a fantastic achievement and one we have all worked incredibly hard for. Due to the long-term relationships we have with our growers we’re able to plan the whole season together and offer our customers the tastiest selection of British varieties for the maximum length of time.
“Our customers want to buy home-grown so we are already busy preparing for the new season by getting out in the orchards to discuss how we can make the most of British produce next season.”
Meanwhile, Adrian Barlow, chief executive of English Apples & Pears, praised Sainsbury's for supporting growers through a difficult season due to adverse weather.
He added: “It’s been a challenging season and Sainsbury’s results have been absolutely outstanding. Sainsbury’s has worked tirelessly with its suppliers and growers to develop long-term plans which is so important in giving growers the confidence to reinvest and increase production.'
Sainsbury's currently offers 63 different top-fruit varieties, selling one in four apples purchased in the UK, and apple buyer Lee Turner says it will continue to add more.
He concluded:“With such a variety of crops maturing this season we’re hoping we’ll have even more of our Best of British bags for customers to enjoy while introducing people to more unusual varieties such as Arkcharm, Chivers Delight, Ribston Pippin and William Crump.”
