This year’s industry report published by Wines of Great Britain (WineGB) revealed a near 70% increase in wine sales over the past two years and a steady growth in hectarage under vine, suggesting a bright future is ahead for UK viticulture and winemaking.

The National Fruit Show will feature a vast range of exhibitors from up and down the country and abroad, alongside a series of inspiring talks ‘by growers for growers’. Executive chair Sarah Calcutt provides some information on what’s in store at this year’s event.

This year’s annual NIAB soft fruit technical webinar will present the latest research into microclimate management, nutrient delivery, yield prediction and pest control, as well as updates on the performance of Malling fruit varieties.

Ranil Jayawardena has today set out plans to boost home grown fruit and vegetable production and drive the growth of high-tech horticulture.

The biostimulant Carboplex promotes plant development and fruit growth by hastening the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar, resulting in earlier flowering, fruiting and harvest.

As many regions of the UK were hit by record-high temperatures and prolonged drought this summer, British growers’ association, the Blackcurrant Foundation, reported a particularly challenging harvest.

Research has shown that UK wine production is likely to increase in the coming years with growing conditions forecasted to resemble those in famous winemaking regions of France and Germany.

Growing Kent & Medway has announced its second round of collaborative research and development grants worth £2,000,000 aimed at innovative businesses in the horticultural food and drink supply chain.

Fruit growers attending the upcoming workshop at NIAB East Malling in Kent will learn about the benefits of wildflowers in fruit production, how to select appropriate wildflower seed mixes, as well as strip establishment and management.

Malling Ace strawberry crops delivered exceptional fruit quality and yield this season despite record-high temperatures across Britain in the summer.

A correct balance between macronutrients and micronutrients is essential to obtain the best results possible from grapevines. A deficiency of any single nutrient is enough to limit grape yield or affect grape quality and the availability of each nutrient needs to be related to the crop requirements. Yara provides the following advice on its website.

BASF Agriculture acquired Becker Underwood, the largest entompathogenic nematode producer in the world, several years ago and integrated it into the organisation as BASF Agricultural Solutions. Rob Storer for BASF notes that there is increasing pressure for effective pest and disease control in fruit and vegetable crops, but there are also more legislative and practical challenges.