British Growers Predicting Exceptional Flavour From 2026 Harvest

September will mark 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.

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.