National Fruit Show returns for 91st year with growers setting ambitious growth targets
6th November 2024
The National Fruit Show is celebrating its 91st year at the Kent County Showground today. The event is organised by growers, for growers, and showcases the finest British apples, pears and nuts with a large display at the centre of the show.
The show was opened by Tom Bradshaw, president of the National Farmers Union, who gave a keynote speech and toured the show, meeting with fruit growers and industry leaders.
Nigel Bardsley, chairman of the National Fruit Show, welcomed guests to the show. He said: “Despite the challenges of the British weather, there is a good crop of fruit, which is tasting and looking good and coloured.
Act responsibly
Mr Bradshaw added that the new government recognised in its manifesto that food security is a key part of national security and also spoke about the role food plays in health.
“However, with labour costs accounting for up to 70% of the cost of production, the National Insurance hikes and National Living Wage increases announced in the budget have hugely inflated the cost of producing the nation’s fruit and vegetables.
“Growers must be able to recover a fair return from the market. I urge retailer buyers to act responsibly as we move into our fourth year of cost inflation in the sector.
“We need government, retailers and growers alike to drive the growth in the sectors. The foundations for this are policies that give the confidence for businesses to make significant investments for the future.
A long-term seasonal worker scheme, a planning policy that works, including reviewing why horticultural sites are required to deliver biodiversity net gain, and a market that gives fair returns for the risks incurred are key cornerstones elements of this,” the NFU president continued.
Phenomenal achievement by British growers
Ali Capper, executive chair of British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL) also spoke at the president’s breakfast. She said that The National Fruit Show is a “great opportunity” to showcase the very best of British fruit.
“Our apple and pear growers have been working hard to ensure 2024 is a very good crop year, and we’re seeing some truly exceptional colour on the apples.
“After several years of extreme inflationary pressures, things were definitely starting to look up. Longer-term contracts with retailers are being discussed and agreed, and this provides growers with much needed certainty to invest in the future.
“However, the recent proposed changes to APR and BPR announced by the government last week have definitely undermined farmer confidence.
“Despite these recent, serious concerns, we are trying to retain our positive outlook, and that attitude has enabled us to reaffirm our ambition to double the volume of British apples we produce.”
Ms Capper said that in 2012/13, just 17% of all apples sold in UK supermarkets were British. By 2022/23 this had peaked at 32% market share.
“This was a phenomenal achievement by British growers.
“Now, we want to double that again. We want 60% of all apples sold in UK supermarkets to be British by 2035. With cutting-edge storage facilities and fantastic varieties, there is less and less reason to turn to imports,” she added.
A terrific day
Ms Capper referenced a climate change map from the World Bank showing that many apple-growing areas of the world will experience extreme heat and water pressure that will hamper apple growing overseas.
She also highlighted WAPA data, which revealed that 13 of 20 European apple-growing countries had declining three-year average volumes.
She said: “The UK really is a great place to grow fresh produce – we’re not facing the same climate change pressures as other parts of the world – and that’s why we need to invest now in orchard expansion and increasing domestic food security.”
Catherine Paice, president of the National Fruit Show and Marden Fruit Show Society, added: “It was a terrific day that would make anyone proud of the industry’s achievements.
“Congratulations to all those who contributed to a spectacular display of fruit, a real showcase for British growers, and to organisers, sponsors and supporters for all their hard work and considerable input. We can look forward to next year with great positivity.”
The National Fruit Show is sponsored by Hutchinsons Ltd, N P Seymour and OnePay, as well as supported by British Apples & Pears Limited.
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