After a record-breaking wet November, it’s hard to remember that 2022 will be known as a scorching drought year in much of Britain. The knock-on effect on our crops has led to mixed blessings, some of which will be manifest only next year. Grape growers are confident that good quality fruit buds will have been laid down this summer for next year’s crop, but how will our shallow-rooted M9 apple trees fair in 2023? Looking short-term, how will many businesses negotiate this economically challenging winter when costs have quadrupled but prices remain unconnected with production costs, never mind storage and marketing? An answer and a rallying call comes in Andrew Tinsley’s Comment: “Now is the time to work together for the common good. Now is the time for mature collaborative effort, not primitive selfishness. Now is the time for teamwork.” Always thoughtful and full of wisdom, Andrew covers everything from football to COP27 in his, sadly, last Comment.
The mood at the National Fruit Show was one of resignation to a difficult marketing season for top-fruit, but everyone was cheered by the excellence of the Show fruit and the event in general. As predicted, the Vineyard Show at the end of the month was crowded with buoyant, noticeably younger, visitors working in all aspects of this burgeoning industry. If you missed a visit to the National Fruit Show, coverage in this issue will give you a snapshot of the event. Having a royal visitor at the Show, thanks to Show President Teresa Wickham and her husband Robin, who introduced the Countess of Wessex to farming, meant that many presentations to winners were even more memorable. This was certainly true for English Apple Man John Guest who was bowled over to be presented with the Jon Jones Award for Service to the Fruit Industry. Congratulations to all the winners! Their efforts keep the unique qualities of the Show alive.
Aside from Show news, it’s good to hear how a Growing Kent & Medway support programme has assisted some fruit growing businesses in their journey towards net-zero. Funded by the Government’s Community Renewal Fund (CRF), trained practitioners were allocated to each participating business to help facilitate this process and to develop a decarbonisation plan. So far, for all businesses participating, over £190,000 of grants have been committed to fund 26 decarbonisation projects.
The December issue also contains articles on the:
- Cider industry
- International strawberry congress
- Growing green
To read more from the December “The Fruit Grower” subscribe today – find out more here.