Great British Apples

Great British Apples We're a grower-funded organisation aiming for 60% of apples sold in the UK to be British by 2035. Why are Great British apples so good? Not too hot. Not too cold.

We're dedicated to telling you everything you need to know about Great British apples and pears. Whether you’re looking for recipe inspiration, or simply want to find out more about one of the nation’s best loved fruits – we’ve got you covered. We've got perfect weather. And just the right amount of rain. When you eat a Great British apple, you know it’s been sourced locally. From the grower to yo

u, with minimum fuss. This means the best taste. And it's good for the planet too. British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL) is a grower-funded, not-for-profit organisation that represents all commercial apple and pear growers in the UK. BAPL works hard on behalf of its members to safeguard their interests and grow the market share of British apples and pears. Our ambition is for at least 60% of apples sold in the UK to be British by 2030. BAPL activities include industry representation, government liaison, data gathering and consumer awareness raising and promotion. The organisation also funds much-needed research and development to protect our wonderful crop.

🍎 First pick is underway! But what does “first pick” actually mean?Apples on the same tree don’t all ripen at exactly th...
04/09/2026

🍎 First pick is underway! But what does “first pick” actually mean?

Apples on the same tree don’t all ripen at exactly the same time. During first pick, growers carefully select the fruit that has reached the right stage of maturity, leaving the rest on the tree to continue developing.

They’ll then return for a second pick, and sometimes a later pick, as more apples become ready.

It means harvest is a gradual process, with growers making several passes through the orchard to pick each apple at the right time.

These first pick photos are a brilliant sign that the new British apple season is getting closer. 🇬🇧🍎

☀️ Feeling the heat? 😰 When temperatures rise, staying hydrated is about more than just what's in your water bottle. Man...
03/09/2026

☀️ Feeling the heat? 😰 When temperatures rise, staying hydrated is about more than just what's in your water bottle. Many fruits can help too, and British apples are around 85% water, making them a crisp, refreshing snack on hot summer days. 🍎💧

Keep them chilled in the fridge and they're ready whenever you need a refreshing bite, whether you're heading out for the day, packing a picnic or looking for an afternoon snack.
Don't forget to keep drinking plenty of water too. A cold British apple is the perfect companion on a warm summer's day.

🍎 Do you prefer your apples straight from the fridge or at room temperature?

02/09/2026

Row upon row, stack upon stack... 🍎🍐

These harvest bins at ACH Farming are lined up and ready for one of the busiest times of the year.

Soon they’ll be heading out into the orchards as the 2026 British apple and pear harvest gets into full swing.

Bring it on! 🙌🇬🇧

🍏🔬 British apples: the gut health superfood backed by science.A major review published in Molecules brought together ext...
25/08/2026

🍏🔬 British apples: the gut health superfood backed by science.
A major review published in Molecules brought together extensive research on apple polyphenols — the naturally occurring antioxidants (especially in the skin) that benefit your digestive system from top to bottom.
Here’s what they’ve been shown to do:
🥄 In the stomach: help heal gastric ulcers and reduce the impact of NSAIDs like ibuprofen
🌱 In the small intestine: support blood sugar control and strengthen the gut barrier
🌀 In the colon: relieve ulcerative colitis symptoms, support gut microbiota, and even suppress colon cancer cells
Even more impressive? These polyphenols retain their benefits as they move through your body — which may be why they’re so effective at every stage of digestion.
So, if you needed another reason to eat an apple a day… this is it.
🔗 Read more on the gut health science here: https://www.britishapplesandpears.co.uk/gut-health/

21/08/2026

We can't believe it...!

21/08/2026

Why do apple growers deliberately remove apples from their trees?

Filmed in July at ACH Farming, this video takes us into a British apple orchard during summer thinning. Amy and farm manager Paul explain how growers decide which fruit stays on the tree and which is removed.

From smaller fruit and hail damage to the number of apples growing in each cluster, thinning helps growers manage the crop so the remaining apples can develop to a good size and quality ahead of harvest.

🍎 In this video:
• Why apple trees are thinned during summer
• How growers decide which apples to remove
• Why smaller or damaged fruit may be taken off
• How many apples growers aim to leave in each cluster
• How orchard teams carry out thinning across the trees

This footage was filmed in July 2026 and captures an important stage in the growing season, before the apples had reached the size you'll see closer to harvest.

This video forms part of our How British Apples Are Grown series, taking you behind the scenes of British orchards and showing the work that goes into producing high-quality British apples throughout the year.

🌳 Find out more about British apples and pears:
https://www.britishapplesandpears.co.uk/

🍎 British growers are predicting exceptional flavour from the 2026 apple and pear harvest.With the new season beginning ...
20/08/2026

🍎 British growers are predicting exceptional flavour from the 2026 apple and pear harvest.
With the new season beginning in September, early crop assessments suggest dependable supplies of British fruit through the season and well into 2027.

Recent warm weather, combined with Britain’s naturally slower ripening conditions, is expected to produce apples and pears with excellent sweetness, colour and aroma. Growers are also asking retailers to embrace natural cosmetic variation, as occasional frost or hail marks have no effect on the fruit’s taste or eating quality.

Read the full harvest forecast, including why growers believe this year’s fruit could be among the best-tasting for many years: https://www.britishapplesandpears.co.uk/british-growers-predict-exceptional-flavour-from-the-2026-apple-and-pear-harvest/

19/08/2026

Something a little different in the Chandler and Dunn orchards this week… the new Fendt electric tractor ⚡🚜

It’s quiet, smooth to drive, and produces zero emissions while at work. A glimpse of how British orchards are embracing innovation to reduce their carbon footprint 🌱🌳

This kind of technology could play an important role in making fruit growing even more sustainable in the future – and it’s already turning heads! 👏

Thanks to N P Seymour for bringing this demo to the orchard.

Would you like to see more electric machinery in action?

There is a lot packed into a British apple. 🍎 Registered dietitian Inji Suresh highlighted apples in this week’s Sunday ...
18/08/2026

There is a lot packed into a British apple. 🍎 Registered dietitian Inji Suresh highlighted apples in this week’s Sunday Times Magazine as being affordable, readily available and easy to store while retaining their nutrients.

Their peel also contains fibre and naturally occurring plant compounds, so there is no need to peel your apple before enjoying it. Simple, convenient and very little waste. What more could you ask from a snack?

🍐 Pears may contain more fibre than you realise.According to the Sunday Times Magazine, a medium pear can provide around...
16/08/2026

🍐 Pears may contain more fibre than you realise.

According to the Sunday Times Magazine, a medium pear can provide around 5 to 6g of fibre, roughly 20% of the recommended daily amount.

Pears contain both soluble and insoluble fibre, with plenty of it found in the skin. So bite straight in and enjoy the full benefit.

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BGA House, Nottingham Road
Louth
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