Fruit Articles

Monday 2nd October 2023 will mark the start of the new British apple season and UK growers say that while it may not be a bumper crop, the taste and flavour of the new season fruit is excellent.

Challenger wonky and surplus food brand Earth & Wheat has declared ‘war on fruit waste’ and entered the market with a new Variety Fruit Box.

The berry industry has for the first time taken the unprecedented step of calling out retailers who don’t support British berries amidst huge concerns over the viability of the industry with an 8% drop in crops forecast for 2024 as retailers squeeze growers on price.

NIAB is hosting a ‘Vine and Wine Discovery Day’ at its East Malling site in Kent, exclusively for UK grape growers and winemakers.

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.