The National Fruit Show has opened today (Wednesday 2 November 2022) with the warning that more needs to be done to support the industry and British growers.

Whilst many British growers have grown a well coloured, sized and excellent tasting crop, they are facing higher input costs of around 20-25% due to the combination of higher wages, energy and fertiliser costs.

Sarah Calcutt, Executive Chair of The National Fruit Show, organised by Marden Fruit Show Society CIO comments: “The quality of the fruit on display here at the show is fantastic this year and it tastes incredible thanks to the growing season, but many growers are struggling.”

“Growers urgently need more support from supermarkets and we need them to understand the financial pressures growers are facing and to pay a fair price for the crops they grow. It is disappointing that we are currently seeing a large volume of imported fruit on supermarket shelves at a time when they should be packed with British apples and pears. This is the best possible time to buy British fruit with the maximum number of varieties available and straight off the trees. We need the British public to support British growers and to buy British fruit at a really critical time to help the industry.”

The National Fruit Show is organised by growers and showcases the finest British apples and pears. The show is sponsored by BASF, HL Hutchinsons, N.P. Seymour Ltd, Worldwide Fruit, UKCA Ltd and Isolcell.