Prospects for UK top fruit are generally for a lower volume year than in 2003 with mainstay Cox due to commence harvesting about the second week of September, according to English Apples & Pears. "Despite the fact we didn’t encounter any frosts in late April and blossom was fine, cold, wet weather and a lack of sunshine after blossom meant that pollination was not as good as expected," said Adrian Barlow, ceo of the industry promotional body.
"The cold weather caused a lot of apples and pears to fall so we have got a lot of singles and were advising people not to over thin."
The summer weather has not helped with a dull July causing problems with scab which are especially likely to affect Gala and Bramley crops. Fruit size is good however and overall across other varieties skin finish is fine. A large number of singles across all the varieties means that fruit is generally well sized.
"The Cox crop is not large, but there is a good finish which gives prospects for good returns," said Barlow. He is forecasting a Cox crop lighter than in 2003 but heavier than 2002 at 40,000 tonnes. "What is very noticeable this year is that those orchards and trees that produced heavily last season have reacted as a result of the hot weather last August and are not producing as heavily," warned Barlow.
It is also the first time there has been a significant drop in Gala production which will be down about 15-20 per cent overall partly due to the large volumes of last year and partly due to the reduced expected grade out of class one fruit as a result of scab.
Pears are expected to produce a crop some five to 10 per cent below last season’s levels, and although some Comice growers report a larger crop this is tempered by grubbing and grafting by other growers of the variety.
Braeburn is forecast by EAP to produce a crop twice as large as last year and Cameo is also attracting increased plantings.
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