The UK topfruit harvest is well underway and already on the market, but the warm weather has had an impact on fruit size on the initial varieties that have been harvested, especially pears, according to Rik Connor from Fruition. "They appear to be a bit small this year, due to the heat over the summer. During September there was not a big difference in day and night temperatures, so the fruit didn't move on as you would expect it too. This has also resulted in Gala being a couple of weeks late, but the fruit quality is looking very good. There will be French and Spanish fruit on the market for a bit longer."
Southern Hemisphere supplied varieties are finishing very cleanly, but the biggest worry just now is the Euro across non British grown varieties.
"The present exchange rate should provide a fantastic opportunity for British grown apples and pears to gain share in our main stream retailers, against higher valued imported varieties. We should not forget that everyone in the supply chain, from growers, suppliers and retailers are all under pressure with rising costs in comparison to last year with the impact of costs; the living wage is a good example in a very labour heavy supply chain," explains Rik.
"We have already seen indications that this year maybe shaping up differently to last season, with inflation being passed onto consumers during September."
Qtee® pear variety has continued its success from last year, and is selling strongly with supplies from both Kent and from Belgium. Qtee® is a brilliantly flavoured blush pear that can be eaten firm and ripened.
Last year Fruition exported Envy to the Asian market, and will probably repeat that this year, but Rik said it is too soon to say definitely and will depend on the sizing but they would still look at supporting their customers in those developing markets.
Fruition will have the first commercial Piqa® Reo pears later this month. This is one of the interspecific pears developed by Prevar in NZ. "We will be supplying Piqa® Reo for a few weeks to selected retailers, it is a brand new concept 'East meets West'. Asian and Japanese pears crossed with European pears. Asian pears can be sweet but watery with little flavour, but add a flavoursome European pear and you get something which really delivers uniqueness."
