The British Apples & Pears Growers Association
Welcome to the home of British Apples & Pears
We are British Apples & Pears – a dynamic organisation of apple and pear growers who work together to supply a delicious, high quality and sustainably-grown British crop, year after year.
News
Updated report highlights rising costs for British apple and pear farmers
In an update to the 2020 analysis of the cost increases to British apple and pear growers, Andersons accounting have revealed substantial increases in the cost of production in the UK. A combination of increased labour costs and Covid safety management have resulted...
British apples and pears announces 2021 plans for the season
British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL) held its annual trade event on Friday 14th May 2021. In line with government guidance, the event took place virtually via webinar. It was hosted by BBC Radio 4 and Countryfile presenter Charlotte Smith, and featured BAPL...
‘Expecting pear-ents’ take note: Leading nutritionist outlines why pears should be part of a healthy diet when you’re pregnant
Top nutritionist Lily Soutter partnered with British Apples and Pears to promote the benefits of consuming pears throughout pregnancy. A relatively unknown fact, Lily says pears are one of the safest foods to consume during the early stages of pregnancy, as they are...
Retailer Information
Working with retailers
Apple Supermarket Sales Data
Data from our growers on the quantity of British apples they sold to UK supermarkets
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Pear Supermarket Sales Data
Data from our growers on the quantity of British pears they sold to UK supermarkets
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Sustainability
Learn more about sustainability and biodiversity from our growers
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Grower Information
Working for our growers
Research & Development
New research into pests and diseases relevant to apple and pear growers in the UK.
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Annual Production Data
Annual apple production data by variety in 000s of tonnes
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Government Policy
BAPL submissions to government enquiries and other policy information
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Why British Apples
All about British apples and pears
Find out more about our great British Apples & Pears and why you should eat them.
History of Apples & Pears
British Apple Varieties
Health & Nutrition
Apple Based Recipes
Sustainability & Biodiversity
Working towards a greener industry
Our 2021 sustainability report shows that our growers are carrying out various sustainability measures in their orchards.
Key Facts:
- Use biological controls 93%
- Use solar panels to generate energy 63%
- Work with beekeepers 83%
- Implement biodiversity measures 92%
FAQ
Answering Your Queries
How many different apple varieties are grown in the UK?
Hundreds of different apple varieties are grown in the UK. Some of the most popular are Gala, Braeburn, Cox and Bramley. Visit our varieties page to find out more.
How do I find British apples in the supermarket?
Look for the Union Jack: Keep an eye out for the Union Jack on packaging and signage. Many supermarkets highlight it on displays, making it quick and easy to spot tasty British apples.
Check the white box: Look closer at the white box information on each packet, where you’ll find details on the variety and where it was grown. Even if there’s no Union Jack packaging, this section will confirm you’re holding Great British apples.
Ask the fresh produce manager: Can’t find our delicious British apples? Visit the fresh produce section and ask the manager—they’re there to help and may have helpful tips on locating British apples in store.
Keep asking: If you’re still on the search, ask the store manager. They’ll want to support what matters to their customers. Sometimes recent deliveries sell out fast, but keep checking, and you’ll soon find British apples to enjoy.
How many apples do we eat each year?
Our growers produce around 166,000 tonnes of apples and pears each year. That includes around 1.3 billion dessert apples. The vast majority of those get eaten by apple lovers in the UK.
Those that aren’t up to the tight supermarket specifications may go for juicing or other types of processing.
Do we export British apples overseas?
There is such strong demand for home-grown apples here in the UK, that we only export around 3% of our crop. We are looking to expand production and open up more export markets in the future.
Are Pink Lady apples grown in the UK?
The Pink Lady variety is commonly grown in France, Italy, America, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
However, the first British Pink Lady orchards have now been planted and they are already bearing fruit. You can find them in shops around Christmas time, but there are still in relatively small quantities.
Make sure you look out for union jacks on packaging to identify British-grown apples.