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Tesco recognised as British apple supermarket of the year 2024

Tesco British Apples

Tesco recognised as BAPL Apple Retailer of the Year 2024

Lidl achieves best year-on-year performance

British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL), the UK top fruit grower association, is delighted to announce Tesco is the 2024 apple retailer of the year.

The award is based on BAPL member sales to British supermarkets from September 2023 to end of August 2024. As the last of the 2023 apple and pear crop has now been sold, BAPL can reveal the supermarket of the year.

In the year starting September 2023, Tesco sold 26,705 tonnes of British dessert apples, only just ahead of Aldi that sold 26,008 and had topped the chart last year.

Behind the two at the top came Sainsbury’s that sold 21,563 tonnes and Lidl that sold 18,096 tonnes.

In addition to naming the apple retailer of the year, BAPL is also recognising the retailer that achieved the best year-on-year performance. That award goes to Lidl that managed to increase the volume of its apple sales from 2022/23 to 2023/24 (from 17,560 tonnes to 18,096 tonnes).

Commenting on this achievement, Ali Capper, executive chair of BAPL, said: “Tesco came second last year, and we know they were motivated to go one better this year. We’re delighted they have achieved that. Lidl have also done really well to sell more British apples this year than they did last year – no small feat when you consider the slightly reduced volumes overall.”

Several supermarkets also over-indexed for British apples – sold more than you would expect given their grocery market share. The outstanding performers there were Aldi (sold 21% of all British apples compared to their grocery market share of 10%), Lidl, (sold 14.6% of all British apples compared to their grocery market share of 8.1%), and Sainsbury’s (sold 17.4% of all British apples compared to their grocery market share of 15.3%).

“This year’s crop is looking good and we’re hopeful that all UK supermarkets will work even harder this year to promote British apples and pears to their shoppers. Buying British over imported fruit saves on food miles, and we know consumers want British if at all possible.”

Full results for 2023 crop:

  Total tonnes Sept 2023 to Aug 2024 % of total British apple sales Grocery market share1
Tesco 26,705 21.6% 27.6%
Aldi 26,008 21.0% 10.0%
Sainsbury’s 21,563 17.4% 15.3%
Lidl 18,096 14.6% 8.1%
M&S 6,513 5.3% N/A
Waitrose 5,709 4.6% 4.5%
Asda 5,553 4.5% 12.6%
Morrisons 5,239 4.2% 8.6%
Co-op 4,487 3.6% 5.9%
Others 3,321 2.7% 5.0%
Iceland 608 0.5% 2.3%

BAPL continues to publish monthly UK apple sales data at: https://www.britishapplesandpears.co.uk/supermarket-sales-data.

[1] https://www.kantarworldpanel.com/en/grocery-market-share/great-britain/snapshot/04.08.24/

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BAPL orchard event looks to future sector growth

orchard event gala A C Goatham

On Wednesday 18th September 2024, BAPL hosted an orchard event to showcase the British apple harvest for retailers and political stakeholders. 

Set among extensive Gala apple orchards in Kent, the event showcased apple picking, the 2024 crop and plans for future growth.

Orchard walk A C Goatham

 

More than 50 people attended the event and there was a buzz about the group as everyone recognised that this is an exciting time for UK apple and pear growers with huge potential to grow the production of our delicious and nutritious fruit. 

BAPL orchard event guests

Ali Capper, executive chair of BAPL, welcomed guests and set out ambitious growth plans for the industry. 

Ali Capper at orchard event

READ ALI’S SPEECH

At this orchard event, BAPL was also able to share its latest growth paper and government asks that will enable the industry to meet its ambitious plans for the future. 

READ THE GROWTH PAPER

BAPL’s thanks go to everyone who attended and to A C Goatham & Son for kindly hosting the BAPL orchard event.

Orchard event group through trees

 

 

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Press Release Health Health Research

Apples and pears in the top five of the superfood league table

Apple superfood chalkboard

New scientific research reveals that apples and pears are in the top five for nutritional quality. They truly are a superfood.

We all know that fruit and vegetables are good for us, but some pack a bigger nutritional punch than others.

The research, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, looked at people in three cohort studies in the US and conducted biomarker analysis on more than 41,000 participants.

Of the 52 fruit and vegetable items assessed by scientists, 19 were identified as high-metabolic quality, with apples and pears in the top five. To our mind, this really makes them a superfood.

The study found that the higher the intake of high-metabolic quality fruit and veg, like apples and pears, the lower the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

We hear a lot about the health benefits of eating fruit and vegetables, but this new study also highlights the importance of eating the right quality as well as quantity of fruit and vegetables. 

This research confirms what many have always known – an apple a day really does keep the doctor away.

The more high-quality fruit and vegetables – like apples and pears – we can eat, the lower our chances of getting a serious disease.

MORE ABOUT THE NUTRITIONAL QUALITIES OF APPLES AND PEARS

 
 

 

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Good crop, larger apples and great flavour: UK growers share their predictions for the 2024 harvest

September 2024 will mark the start of the new British apple season and UK growers say that an early start to the growing season has resulted in a good volume of slightly larger apples.

Young apples are now growing and ripening slowly in orchards across the UK. Growers have been reviewing their crops closely and have set out the following predictions for the coming 2024 British apple season:

  • Apples will be larger than average. The mild weather during March and April this year is resulting in larger apples. This will mean that the price per pack will need to increase, or retailers should look to put more four packs on the shelf, as consumers will be getting more ‘apple’ in their six-packs than in previous years. Growers will be talking to their retail customers about this natural reality to ensure that they receive a fair return for the weight of apples they are producing.
  • Apple volumes are generally looking good. While variations from orchard to orchard exist, the overall apple crop is looking reasonable. Expectations are that it will be slightly larger than in 2023, but not as big as 2022.
  • Some skin blemishes, but great eating experiences. This year’s crop may not be picture perfect, but the eating experience will be as delicious as always. Some orchards have experienced hail damage and there is a low level of russeting in some locations due to the spring weather. This will result in blemishes on the skin of the fruit. What is important is that this does not result in food waste. The eating experience is the same and these apples are just as delicious as usual.

Commenting on the grower predictions, Ali Capper, executive chair of British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL), said: “Weather and cost of production issues have once again challenged our growers, but they are resilient and working hard to deliver a great crop later this year. We’re expecting 2024 to be a good crop, but we probably won’t reach the bumper volumes of 2022.

“With larger fruit looking likely, it’s essential that retailers pay a fair price for the weight produced, not just the number of apples produced. We are desperate to stop the contraction in the industry that has come from unsustainable returns. We need to be investing in orchards, planting more trees and building the UK’s food security and that means fair returns.”

As in recent years, BAPL members are working closely with retailers to create in-store theatre celebrating the best of British top fruit from the month of September 2024 onwards. TV advertising and strong social media promotion in 2023 really helped to raise the profile of new season apples with shoppers. It’s hoped that this year is even bigger and BAPL will also be investing heavily in social media advertising at start of season to showcase the ‘superfood’ health benefits of British apples.

RELEASED: 2 AUGUST 2024

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Press Release

Audit challenges for UK apple and pear growers

15/09/20 Apple Harvest, Loddington, Kent. All Rights Reserved: F Stop Press Ltd. +44 (0)7765 242650 www.fstoppress.com

Audit summary. British growers are at the top when it comes to world standards of apple and pear production. They are also one of the most audited in the world. BAPL continues to support those high standards while also ensuring that the audit burden is fairly applied. 

Here is a summary of BAPL audit-related activities in recent months: 

Since BAPL published its public response to SMETA above, we have also summarised the issues in a recent Fruit Grower article.

There are three key issues with the proposed SMETA 7.0 standard for UK apple and pear growers:

  • Overtime. In the existing standard (and in the new proposed standard), the overtime clause requires growers to pay overtime at a rate of 125% of normal pay. Today, growers continue to receive non-conformances despite having reached collective agreements with their workforce to pay overtime at a lower rate. This is contra to UK national law which does not require overtime to be paid at a premium.
  • Employer pays principle (EPP). In the new standard (from 10th September 2024), A new EPP (employer pays principle) would require growers to pay all recruitment costs. Sedex has defined recruitment costs to include travel and visa costs. This is contra to the ILO (International Labour Organisation) guidance and the requirements of the Seasonal Worker Scheme (run by Home Office and Defra). Neither the ILO nor the government-run seasonal worker scheme currently require these costs to be paid by the employer. Everyone acknowledges that, if they are audited, no growers will be able to say they have paid these recruitment costs in 2024 because the seasonal worker scheme does not currently require it.
  • Credible living wage. The new SMETA 7.0 standard requires growers to pay a “credible living wage”. This is despite there being no definition of what a credible living wage is. Furthermore, existing regulation (seasonal worker scheme) requires growers to pay a minimum of 32 hours per week at the national living wage as a minimum.

Read the Fruit Grower article (link to follow) for more on BAPL’s response to the proposed SMETA audit.

On behalf of growers, BAPL continues to challenge these changes. When changes do not follow either UK legislation or regulation, are un-auditable and unfair, we need to speak up. 

 

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BAPL publishes new report into plastic packaging and calls for cross-industry taskforce

Plastic report cover

As the fresh produce industry, retailers and NGOs continue to explore ways to reduce plastic in the supply and sale of fresh produce, British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL) has published a new report into potential solutions.  

The report was written by Claire Donovan, a retail expert and experienced food production specialist. It summarises the current single-use plastics position of retailers, UK regulators and NGO campaigners.

The BAPL Report into the Current Position of Single-Use Plastic Packaging in the UK Top Fruit Sector stresses the urgent need to create a cross-retailer/industry taskforce to find solutions for the sector. This is one of seven asks set out in the report that would support future efforts towards minimising plastic pollution.

Another key ask in the report is the need for the UK government to meet its commitment to consistent home/kerbside collection and recycling infrastructure.

“This is a complex, but important area of focus for UK apple and pear growers.” Explains Ali Capper, executive chair of BAPL. “We absolutely want to minimise plastic in the production and sale of British apples and pears, but we must fully consider the implications of proposed changes. We need to be especially mindful of keeping food waste to a minimum. We also need to ensure we’re not just moving environmental challenges from one part of the supply chain to another.

“This report is an important contribution to discussions, but most critical is that government, growers, NGOs and retailers come together now to work out the best possible solutions. That way the full implications and benefits of all approaches can be properly considered.”

Read the report

 
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Press Release

BAPL calls for proper consultation concerning proposed SMETA changes

13/09/22 Apple harvest, Ham Green Farm, Upchuch, Kent, UK. All Rights Reserved: F Stop Press Ltd. +44 (0)7765 242650 www.fstoppress.com www.rkpphotography.co.uk

BAPL STATEMENT ON PROPOSED SMETA CHANGES – 10 July 2024

BAPL has called on SEDEX to pause its introduction of changes to its SMETA 7.0 standard. BAPL says that the proposed changes cannot be implemented or audited correctly, and risk food inflation of around 4-5p or more per pack of apples.

BAPL says that the new “employer pays principle” and credible living wage standards are aspirational and contrary to current Home Office and Defra interpretations of ILO guidance and our national law. This new standard has the potential to cause chaos and stress in fresh produce if introduced without appropriate consultation across the whole supply chain. In particular, there are serious implications for UK food price inflation and security.

SEDEX has interpreted ILO guidelines to mean that employers must pay for the recruitment related travel and visas of workers they employ on their farms. This would not only apply to workers coming from overseas via the seasonal worker scheme, but also any UK-based workers as well. This is contrary to usual UK employment practice and raises serious practical concerns. For example, seasonal workers often work on several different farms – as the picking seasons progress. In that situation, who would pay the upfront visa and travel costs? It would be unfair for that to fall solely to the first farm employer. If the upfront costs are split between different employers, how is it to be administered and managed? And ultimately how will these costs be funded by the supply chain?

BAPL is very concerned that the proposed SMETA standard 7.0 has not been properly thought through. Specifically, the changes are being pushed through without waiting for the Defra-funded impact assessment report on the employer pays principle, which is being conducted by the government’s seasonal worker scheme task force. Before that proper impact assessment has been completed there is no place for this new SMETA standard.

As things stand, some UK apple and pear growers are looking into alternative ethical audits that enable them to meet important retail requirements. They may also consider refusing to comply with this part of the SMETA audit until the Defra impact assessment report has been published.

In short, fact-based common sense needs to prevail. At the very least, this SMETA standard should not be implemented until Defra has completed its full assessment of the employer pays principle. Growers have estimated that paying the full travel and visa costs for seasonal workers would be equivalent to a 4-5p price increase in the cost of a pack of apples. Given the fact that apple and pear growers margins are already stretched to breaking point, these additional costs will have to be covered by retailers.

BAPL is asking all retailers to align and agree:

  1. That UK fresh produce suppliers are not expected to respond to the employer pays and credible living wage sections of the proposed SMETA standard 7.0 audit.
  2. That no action from producers is required if a “collaborative action required” is assigned by an auditor.

Read more about the audit burden facing UK apple and pear growers.

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Press Release Health Health Research

Apples are great for your gut

Apples superfood
Apples superfood health benefits

From stomach to colon – the whole gut health benefits of apples

A new scientific study has summarised the significant gut health benefits of apples to the whole of our digestive tract. Bringing together lots of published research, the study published in the journal, Molecules, is yet another great reason to eat an apple a day.

Here’s the summary of the benefits of apple polyphenols* on gut health:

Stomach benefits

  • Alleviates the changes caused by NSAIDs, like ibuprofen
  • Helpful in healing gastric ulcers

Small intestine benefits

  • Alleviates the changes caused by NSAIDs, like ibuprofen
  • Beneficial effects on hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose levels which over the long term can result in kidney and cardiovascular damage)
  • Strengthens the gut barrier

Colon benefits

  • Alleviates the changes caused by NSAIDs, like ibuprofen
  • Beneficial effects on ulcerative colitis by relieving mucosal damage and counteracting injury to the colon
  • Positive impact on gut microbiota
  • Suppressing cancer cells in colon cancer 

What’s also interesting in this new study is the fact that the polyphenols in the apples retain their active benefits even as travel through our bodies. That seems to be why they have a positive effect from the stomach all the way down.

So, grab your British apple superfood and treat your gut today.

Read more about the heart health and other benefits of apples. 

*Polyphenols are antioxidants found naturally in apples – especially the skin. They have been shown to have benefits beyond gut health, including on heart health. 

 

 

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Press Release

UPDATE: BAPL launches manifesto ahead of general election

Apple harvest
15/09/20 British Apple Harvest, Loddington Farm, Goudhurst, Kent. All Rights Reserved: F Stop Press Ltd. +44 (0)7765 242650 www.fstoppress.com

MAY 2024 UPDATE

Following government announcements in May 2024, the BAPL manifesto has been updated. 

VIEW THE UPDATED BAPL MANIFESTO

In March 2024, British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL), the organisation representing commercial top fruit growers, published its first ever manifesto.

Designed to provide all political parties with clear guidance on how best to secure the future of the British apple and pear industry, the manifesto sets out ten clear actions.

“Any new British government has a great opportunity to turn around the current crisis facing UK apple and pear growers.” Explained Ali Capper, executive chair of BAPL. “We have set out clear steps that we believe are both necessary and practical to achieve that.

“We understand that there will be many competing priorities for any new government, but the actions in our manifesto have extremely far-reaching and positive impacts. Implementing these actions will help ensure domestic food security, support the rural economy, our environment and the health of the nation. Those ambitions should be firmly on the agenda of any government.”

The ten actions in the BAPL manifesto concern a range of issues from fair contracts with supermarkets to labour, environmental protection and innovation.

BAPL sent the manifesto directly to the leaders of all the main political parties as well as their key representatives for agriculture, farming, health, finance and labour.

“In addition to sending them our new manifesto, we will be offering face-to-face briefings with the political parties.” Explained Ali Capper. “We are very keen to work with anyone who is open to our ideas for a stronger and sustainable British apple and pear industry.”

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BAPL responds to government announcements (May 2024)

British apple picking
13/09/22 Apple harvest, Ham Green Farm, Upchuch, Kent, UK. All Rights Reserved: F Stop Press Ltd. +44 (0)7765 242650 www.fstoppress.com www.rkpphotography.co.uk

May 2024 has been especially busy with government announcements of high relevance to British apple and pear growers. 

In this article, we summarise the two key government announcements relating to seasonal workers and fresh produce farming more broadly, and BAPL’s response. These comments have been publicised widely in the trade media. 

 

Five-year seasonal worker scheme announced by Defra

Ali Capper, executive chair of BAPL spoke on behalf of the organisation when the government’s response to John Shropshire’s independent labour review was announced in early May 2024.

Ali Capper said:

“We are delighted with the government response to John Shropshire’s independent labour review. At long last, our growers have the labour certainty they need to plan for the future. Our pleas have been answered.

“Until now, apple and pear growers in the UK have not known from one year to the next whether they would be able to access the seasonal workers they need to pick their crop. This kind of uncertainty has been incredibly stressful and entirely unnecessary.

“With a seasonal worker scheme commitment to 2029, we can now plan for the long term. Just as we do when we plant young apple trees.

“What is really important for government to understand is that we, as a sector, want to grow – we want to produce more apples and pears – and that means more labour not less. We hope that this government commitment to 2029 is associated with a growing number of workers to support our sector’s growth. We would also urge the government to look at extending the visa length from six to nine months to better reflect the reality of the extended fresh produce growing season in the UK.”

“In terms of this announcement, we also welcome the commitment to robotic picking technologies. This is an incredibly complex area and many technology companies have struggled to create a workable solution. When you’re trying to replicate the expert eyes and gentle hands of an experienced fruit picker, it’s not easy. However, we are keen to see progress in the technology in this area and the government support could definitely help.

“In terms of automation of packhouses, most of our apple and pear growers are already using highly automated processes. However, we definitely welcome the further automation funding the government has promised in this area.

“Finally, we want to thank John Shropshire for his thorough and thoughtful Independent Review into Labour Shortages in the Food Supply Chain. British apple and pear growers in the UK feel we have been heard at last.”

 

Prime Minister’s announcement at the Downing Street Farm to Form Summit on 14th May 2024

Just a week later, the Prime Minister hosted growers, retailers and other interested bodies at its annual Farm to Fork Summit. Several new government commitments were announced at the Summit.

BAPL welcomed the government announcement that included much-needed funding for UK apple and pear growers.

Ali Capper, on behalf of BAPL, commented:

“British apple and pear growers will be absolutely delighted with this much-needed announcement from the Prime Minister. 

“Our growers will be especially heartened by the announcement of up to £10m for English orchard growers to access equipment, technology and infrastructure. This fast-forwarding investment will give our sector the critical confidence it urgently needs right now.

“We also want to welcome the doubling of funding for a retained EU scheme replacement in the PM’s announcement. We will need to look carefully at the detail to ensure it doesn’t add more red tape with any new structures, but that notwithstanding, it’s very welcome news.

“Finally, the Food Security Index is a positive move. We’ve been in desperate need of a device like this that can drive home-grown fruit and veg production. We’re not surprised at all that this year’s Index has revealed that UK farming is at its most productive since records began – it’s something our apple and pear growers tell us all the time.

“The future of British orchards and the growth of British apple and pear volumes is definitely looking brighter today.”

Both these government announcements are testimony to the hard work of British Apples & Pears to highlight the issues facing growers and the solutions needed to support the industry.