Fruit

British consumers are set to suffer further food shortages as more apple and pear growers are forced to dig up orchards and pursue other avenues over unsustainable returns from retailers.

NFU president Minette Batters has called for greater support for the horticulture sector, warning that a range of British fruit and vegetables could be in short supply this year.

Growing Kent & Medway (GKM) has awarded a total of £154,000 funding in the form of research vouchers to 11 horticulture, food and drink businesses for projects aiming to overcome sustainability challenges.

Since blackcurrants need cold winters to thrive, scientists at the James Hutton Institute (JHI) have been working to develop a new variety called Ben Lawers which crops well in warmer winters, helping growers overcome a major sustainability challenge.

Growing exotic foods in the UK climate can not only help offset emissions and carbon footprint, but also reconnect consumers to the food system while making the horticulture sector more resilient and diverse, experts at ORFC 2023 have said.

A six-point plan to encourage biodiversity on blackcurrant farms has helped to support struggling wildlife populations, a new report says.

At ORFC 2023, three accomplished nut growers shared their experiences and views on the future of nut production in the UK, alongside offering practical advice to those interested in diversifying into nut growing on their farm.

The recent launch of White Pearl strawberries that ‘taste like pineapple and vanilla’ in M&S Foodhalls was met with scepticism by UK breeders and controversy among the public who have expressed concerns over the origins of the fruit.

New research suggests that the availability of labour and access to staff with the right skills will continue to be an issue for agricultural and horticultural businesses over the coming years.

This year’s Fruit Logistica will showcase an innovative mobile optical sorter that is proving popular with UK growers faced with labour shortages, according to its manufacturer Haith.

Malling Fruits has issued grower guidelines for its most successful variety Malling Centenary, which has become the strawberry sector’s standard Junebearer variety.

By supporting small local businesses in their move towards net zero, the Growing Green pilot project is expected to deliver £3 million in GVA in the Kent and Medway area by 2028, according to a recent independent report.