The 2026 Apple harvest progresses as October reaches mid month.
Message from my Agronomist friend Richard Brewer
Hi John, Gala all harvested. Braeburn harvest well under way. Jazz first pick completed. Second pick underway. Pink lady colouring up nicely. Should start first pick next week. Regards, Richard
Below: left. Pink Lady tree as harvest approaches, and Gala with spectacular colour
Below: Pink Lady ready for harvest
Red colour is spectacular this year on all red skinned varieties, demonstrated by this Pink Lady in an orchard near Canterbury this week.
Below: Jazz harvest underway and looking fantastic and SASSY the 'new kid on the block'
The New Zealand-origin Sassy apple is being grown commercially in Britain for the first time, with the UK licence holder introducing the variety to the domestic market.
"For the first time, Sassy is British-grown and exclusively grown by us!
As the UK licence holder, we're proud to bring Sassy to the British market, with its beautiful red-emerald colour, sweet-tangy flavour, award-winning quality and irresistible crunch. Originally from New Zealand, Sassy is now grown right here in Britain.
"There's a new apple on the block, and Sassy is ready to make its mark!"
Below: TESCO promotional launch of SASSY with new packaging format
Available during the UK off-season, Sassy offers a premium New Zealand-grown option for shoppers looking for something a little different, according to the supplier, and is backed by a striking graffiti-inspired brand identity.
Sassy apples are packed in a fully recyclable, plastic-free liner less pack, developed in partnership with Mansfields Fruit Farming, Ravenwood Packaging, Smurfit Westrock, and ProPrint Group.
The format uses only biodegradable paper and board, with no plastic wrap or backing waste, while still delivering strong shelf appeal.
One of the key challenges in packing top fruit apples is achieving secure presentation and standout branding without relying on plastic, according to a spokesperson from Mansfields. The new launch is therefore not only about functionality and sustainability, but also offering consumers a pack that's consistent with their values.
The packs are applied using Ravenwood's Nobac 5000L machine, which is said to ensure efficiency and minimal waste across production. All materials used are kerbside recyclable and tested for optimal performance.
"We wanted to bring some excitement and differentiation to the apple category," said Eleni Hogg, head of brand at Sassy. "Sassy is about bold design, great eating quality, and doing things a little differently. Our packaging reflects that - it's fun, functional, and plastic-free, giving UK consumers something they can feel good about picking up."
The Sassy launch is part of a wider sustainability push from Mansfields Fruit Farming and the Sassy owners, who plan to roll out more linerless solutions across their topfruit range.
At the recent BAPL event in September Craig Rook (an old friend) Farm Manager at MANSFIELDS 'excitedly drew my attention to SASSY' gave me a bagful. which I have been drawing down from my fridge and it is without doubt a fantastic apple, beautiful red-emerald colour, 
very crisp with a unique flavour; a worthy addition to the premier range of the New Zealand bred apple range now being grown in Great Britain
That is all for this week
Take care
The English Apple Man