Of all the varieties, Gala, seems particularly suited to our often turbulent climate and year after year we can produce a consistent product that the consumers can rely on.
In 2015 it has all come together. Good weather at blossom, higher than average sunshine, good weather for combating pests and diseases, and a well-timed inch of rain at the end of July, have all come together to produce a good clean crop that will be well coloured of good size and high in sugar.
At a recent Gala Club pre-harvest meeting, indications suggest the UK Gala crop in 2015 will break previous records; the total Gala crop is expected to exceed 54,000 tonnes, an increase of 6% on 2014.
Following a walk around Sean Charlton’s Fair View Farm, members heard seasonal updates by Adrian Barlow – EAP, Tim Biddlecombe – FAST and Dr. Martin Luton – Fruition.
All important statistics
Adrian Barlow presented an encouraging picture for the continued expansion of ‘home grown’ apples; the sales of English apples to Supermarkets has risen by 177% compared to 2006/07; from 57,000 tonnes to 101,000 tonnes in 2014/15.
Gala (Imported and English) had a 4% share of the UK market in 1991 and now sits at 27% – English Gala sales stood at 6,720 tonnes in 2001/02 and the rise to 41,977 tonnes in 2014/15 is resounding success.
More in the next issue of The Fruit Grower magazine.