I'm back - back after various hospital appointments, scans etc. and cataract operations which means I now have good distance vision and once I have had an appointment with my optician, new reading glasses should complete the new world of 20/20 vision!
September marks the start of the new British apple and pear season, with growers predicting a harvest that will deliver great flavour and good supplies throughout the season.
British Apples & Pears (BAPL) news report
Following crop assessments across orchards in England, growers expect overall production to be around the five-year average. While this year's crop is unlikely to be a record-breaker, growers say the eating quality could be among the very best for many years.
Young apples and pears are continuing to ripen in orchards across the UK. Growers have reviewed crops in their orchards and set out the following predictions for the coming season:
Good supplies for the season. Overall production is expected to provide retailers with dependable supplies of British apples and pears from the start of the season and well into 2027.
Great flavour and colour. Recent warm weather is expected to help fruit develop excellent sweetness, colour and aroma. Although temperatures have been high by UK standards, Britain's relatively temperate climate allows apples and pears to ripen more slowly than in many parts of continental Europe. This longer ripening period helps to develop the distinctive flavour and eating quality for which British fruit is renowned.
Natural variation across some orchards. Hail damage and cosmetic marks caused by spring frosts have affected fruit in some orchards. While the impact is limited, some retailers are already talking to suppliers about flexibility on cosmetic specifications for their core lines. Growers stress that these naturally occurring marks do not affect flavour, texture or eating quality.
Commenting on the grower predictions, Ali Capper, Executive Chair of British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL), said: "We're expecting a reliable season for British apples and pears. Overall volumes are looking solid and, most importantly, we expect the fruit to taste exceptional.
"One of the advantages of growing fruit in Britain is that our climate allows apples and pears to mature gradually. The slower ripening in the UK also gives the fruit time to develop the sweetness, flavour and colour that consumers love. In addition, and very importantly, British growers have invested in precision irrigation, so despite the recent hot, dry weather, we are able to produce a very good crop.
"As with every harvest, nature has left its mark in some orchards. A small proportion of fruit has been affected by frost marks and hail, but these marks are purely cosmetic marks. The eating quality is just as good.
"We're encouraging retailers to recognise that natural variation is part of sustainable food production. If we're serious about reducing food waste, we need to value all fruit for how it tastes rather than expecting every apple to look exactly the same."
British growers are now preparing for harvest and working closely with retailers to celebrate the arrival of the new season from September onwards. With consumers increasingly choosing fresh, locally grown produce, the industry is looking forward to another strong season showcasing the quality of British apples and pears.
RELEASED: 3 AUGUST 2026
British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL) has appointed Claire Donovan as its next Executive Chair following a comprehensive recruitment process.
Claire will join the organisation on 1 September 2026, working alongside current Executive Chair Ali Capper during a planned two-month handover before formally taking up the role on 4 November 2026.
The appointment follows an extensive search and selection process involving several high-calibre candidates. The Board unanimously concluded that Claire's breadth of experience, strategic leadership and deep understanding of the fresh produce sector made her the outstanding candidate to lead BAPL through its next phase of development.
Claire brings extensive experience across the fresh produce supply chain, spanning commercial leadership, technical standards, grower engagement and industry representation. Her experience also extends beyond horticulture into board leadership and public policy.
As a Board Director of the Welsh Rugby Union, she has helped steer organisational change in one of Wales' highest-profile membership organisations, while her work in horticulture has included industry advocacy and contributing to the government working group that led to the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004.
Together, these experiences give her a rare combination of commercial, governance, advocacy and leadership skills to champion the interests of British apple and pear growers.
James Simpson, Vice Chair of British Apples & Pears Limited, said: "Following a thorough recruitment process, the Board is delighted to appoint Claire as our next Executive Chair.
"We met some exceptionally strong candidates, but Claire stood out for her breadth of experience, strategic leadership and deep understanding of the British fresh produce sector. Alongside that, she brings outstanding board and governance experience from outside horticulture, where she has helped lead organisational change in a complex membership organisation. That combination of sector knowledge and proven leadership made her the outstanding candidate to lead BAPL."
"She combines commercial insight with a genuine commitment to British horticulture and has the credibility, relationships and leadership skills to help BAPL continue to champion the interests of British apple and pear growers.
"We are particularly pleased that Claire will join us from September, allowing time for a comprehensive handover with Ali. This planned transition will ensure continuity for our members and stakeholders while giving Claire the opportunity to build relationships across the industry before formally taking up the role."
Claire Donovan said: "I am delighted to be joining British Apples & Pears at such an important time for the sector.
"British growers produce exceptional apples and pears to some of the highest standards anywhere in the world. They deserve an organisation that is ambitious, influential and relentlessly focused on creating the conditions for a thriving domestic apple and pear industry.
"BAPL has become a respected and influential voice for growers, and I look forward to working with members, the Board, retailers, government and the wider industry to build on that success and help create a positive future for British apples and pears.
"The opportunity to work alongside Ali during the transition is invaluable. She leaves the organisation in a strong position, and I look forward to building on the excellent foundations she and the Board have created."
Ali Capper said: "It has been an enormous privilege to serve as Executive Chair of British Apples & Pears over the past eight years.
"Together, we have strengthened BAPL's voice with government, retailers and across the industry, while ensuring growers are at the heart of everything we do.
"I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved, and I know Claire is an excellent appointment. Her experience, knowledge and leadership qualities make her ideally placed to lead BAPL through its next chapter, and I look forward to working closely with her over the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition."
Claire Donovan will formally become Executive Chair on 4 November 2026.
On 31 July 2026, British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL) brought together five of the UK's most experienced commercial apple growers to share the practical techniques, systems and approaches they use to deliver successful harvests.
The BAPL Smart Orchard Harvest Optimisation Grower Workshop featured an open discussion with James Simpson (Adrian Scripps), Ross Goatham (AC Goatham & Son), Tom Hulme (ACH Farming), Mark Gaskain (Gaskains Ltd and Prime Produce) and Robert Hinge (A Hinge & Sons), covering every stage of harvest planning and delivery.
Topics included:
Planning labour requirements and picker productivity
Pre-harvest thinning strategies
Assessing fruit maturity and harvest timing
Harvest equipment and technology
Maintaining fruit quality in the orchard
Workforce management and supervision
Digital tools supporting harvest operations
Ahead of the workshop, the growers have collaborated to produce two new practical guides for BAPL members:
Harvest Optimisation: Learning from Five Leading UK Apple Growers - a practical comparison of how five successful businesses approach harvest planning and delivery.
Harvest Optimisation Best Practice Guide - bringing together the common themes and practical recommendations emerging from the above grower insights, this guide includes ten key recommendations to improve harvest efficiency, fruit quality and workforce management.
Ali Capper, Executive Chair of British Apples & Pears Limited, said: "One of the greatest strengths of our industry is growers' willingness to learn from one another. We've brought together five highly successful businesses, each with different systems and approaches, to share what works for them in practice.
"No two orchards are identical, but there are common principles that can help growers improve efficiency, fruit quality and returns. By capturing that knowledge and making it available to BAPL members, we're helping the whole industry benefit from decades of practical experience."
Workshop participants receive both publications, which will also be made available to BAPL members following the event.
That is all for this week, harvesting is well under way with early varieties picked circa 10 days early
Take care
The English Apple Man