After a long build up to Christmas, 'which seems to start back in September in the high street and garden centres, it's gone again for another year, as always there is lots of stuff left in the larder. Cakes, mince pies, sweets of various types, and the wine rack with bottles left to open!
It's always the case; but the left overs from Christmas festivities enhance January as all these goodies are gradually consumed. Today I'm looking forward to a slice of Christmas cake with my afternoon 'cup of tea' and in the evening I'll wind down with a glass (or two) of Port.
With just 5 more days until 2026 arrives this indulgence will no doubt 'broaden the waste line'
Reflecting on the past year, and what a year, globally war is a never ending 'black cloud' on all our horizons; why can't we live in peace?
Every New Year we look forward in hope, as we look back at the previous year's events.
I won't delve into our political scene, beyond saying; "it's so much easier in opposition than in Government to fix all the problems"
In our farming fraternity, "the promise and anticipation of a better future for farmers and growers alike is more uncertain than ever"
On a positive note, the range and quality of 'home grown' apples on our Supermarket shelves is enhanced by Pink Lady, the number one global Club apple now growing successfully in Great Britain.
For the first time UK consumers could buy UK grown Pink Lady (albeit in very small quantities) as the first crop of UK Pink Lady is launched. Grown and marketed by Adrian Scripps Ltd and Worldwide Fruit Ltd growers. Volumes will rise next season in 2024/2025 as trees increase in productivity.
The most successful high value Global apple is Pink Lady. There are others like Jazz which has modelled it's marketing strategy on the success of Pink Lady. The success required an exceptional apple with great taste, texture and very 'uniform' visual appearance.
For consumers to buy, and repeat buy, uniformity must be delivered. Cripps Pink delivers the optimum eating quality and by setting a specification for high colour (minimum red colour) while licensing it as Pink Lady only to growers capable of meeting the high standard, plus controlling the volume grown to meet consumer demand and NOT exceeding it, delivers profit to the grower ensuring financial sustainability!
FAIRNESS?
"Can you imagine the emotional stress to the farmer who has harvested his crop and still hasn't got a price agreed? You can see where the balance of power sits and it isn't with the grower."
Click on: Looking for Fairness
Regenerative farming - Is this the future?
The Club varieties, grown under licence with production limited to 'match NOT exceed demand' are the leaders in delivering a sustainable future to the grower. Globally there are circa sixty new varieties at various stages of development all vying for a profitable future!
Without better returns for the grower: "The prospect for the future will see less home grown Gala and Braeburn, more cheap imports (while they last) and traditional British varieties depending on small growers with Farm Shop outlets and/or selling in local Farmers Markets.
MARCH
In March The English Apple Man reported on GK&M - Business Sustainability Challenge
Click on: Growing Kent & Medway
APRIL
In April The EAM reported on a very early year for Blossom
Click on: Blossom is Early this year
MAY
In May The EAM reported on British Apples & Pears news and The Asparagus season
Click on: BAPL news
Click on: Asparagus
JUNE
In June The EAM reported on 'matters of interest'
Click on: "Matters of interest"
JULY
In July The EAM reported on the BIFGA Summer farm Walk
Click on: BIFGA Summer Farm Walk
AUGUST
In August The EAM reported on PROGNSFRUT European Apple Forecast for 2024
Click on: European Apple forecast for 2024
SEPTEMBER
In September The EAM reported on British Apples & Pears preview of the British Apple Harvest
Click on: British Apples and Pears
OCTOBER
In October The EAM reported on some new varieties grown in the UK
Click on: New apple varieties
NOVEMBER
In November The EAM reported on The 2024 National Fruit Show
Click on: The National Fruit Show 2024
DECEMBER
In December The EAM reported on NFU Tom Bradshaw's invitation from Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer to a visit to 10 Downing Street
Click on: NFU President Tom Bradshaw invited to meet Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street
Wishing all my readers a Very Happy New Year
Take care
The English Apple Man