Kent-based fruit supplier A C Goatham & Son has reported an increase in top fruit sales over the last 18 months as people made healthier eating choices during lockdown.
During the first lockdown, Goatham’s sold 43 per cent more apple packs than the previous year and according to research by Kantar across the UK, 860,000 new households bought pears for the first time, which is good news for Goatham’s which grows almost half of all British Conference pears.
Goatham’s is continuing its programme of new orchard planting with 137 acres planted winter 2020/21 and 148 acres planned for the coming winter. However, a record wet spring and the coldest May for 25 years might affect the 2021 crop and the year-on-year increase in crop size which would be expected from the new orchard planting.
Managing Director Ross Goatham commented, “People bought more apples and pears during the lockdowns here in the UK because they store well and last for a long time and this suited their pattern of shopping which moved online, to in-store collection and to less frequent shopping trips. Research also shows that 62 per cent of Brits have made a change to their diet to be healthier over the past year and 33 per cent are including more fruit and vegetables in their diets. This is good news for British growers like us who are continuing our major orchard planting programme, which will ensure there is a greater volume of British apples and pears in the years to come.”
Photo Caption: More consumers are buying pears according to Kantar