Fruit

Despite challenges in both the fruit and vine growing industries, the market for crafted ciders and English wine continues to grow. Fruit & Vine deputy editor Sarah Kidby spoke to consultant viticulturist, and wine and cider maker, Simon Day about industry trends, innovations and challenges.

Fruit and vegetable growers in Scotland have been given assurance of support over the next two years to help improve the quality, market value and sustainability of their produce. The Scottish Government has allocated up to £6 million over the next two years to extend the Fruit and Vegetable Aid scheme.  

Scottish producer Angus Soft Fruits has unveiled the ‘World’s Largest Strawberry Crown’ in celebration of its AVA Magnum berries landing on supermarket shelves as well as King Charles’ inaugural Wimbledon.

In a bid to promote healthy eating and active lifestyles, British Berry Growers has partnered with Tough Mudder, the internationally recognised obstacle course and mud run, and will be handing out thousands of fresh berries at their upcoming Manchester event.

An exciting project, funded by the the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, to restore Suffolk’s orchards is underway in the historic Sandlings area of the county.

The annual Orchard and Machinery Day, held in Newent, Gloucestershire, took place in late June, with more than 200 guests in attendance. The event provides a unique opportunity each year for the cider industry to thank those who work so hard growing apples for them and to celebrate the importance of British-grown cider apples. 

One of the UK’s first suppliers of fruit and veg boxes has switched to 100% paper or home compostable packaging – as well as a number of other measures to help protect the planet. Fruit & Vine magazine spoke to Riverford’s head of sustainability Zac Goodall to find out more.

Growers visiting Fruit Focus on 12th July in East Malling, Kent, will be able to explore cutting-edge research and innovation projects, funded to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing the fruit sector.

Growing Kent & Medway and Canterbury Christ Church University are joining forces in a new collaborative partnership aimed at connecting horticultural and food and drink businesses with agri-technology specialists to drive research and innovation in the sector.

The International Blackcurrant Conference returned to Herefordshire this year with an inspiring two-day programme featuring talks from industry experts, a presentation on different weed control methods, harvest forecasts and visits to three prominent UK fruit farms.

Although British strawberry season arrived a month later than usual due to the cool spring weather, the slower ripening period means the nation can expect to enjoy bigger and juicier berries this year, experts have said.

Inverness-based fruit and vegetable wholesaler Sky East UK is moving forward with its plans to develop a specialist reactor for converting natural waste into an environmentally friendly soil enhancer, made possible by a £150,000 investment from HSBC UK.