British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL), the UK top fruit grower association, has named Aldi as its 2023 apple retailer of the year.

Vineyards have been confirmed as being in the top two of the fastest-growing agricultural crop sectors in England, according to recent statistics reported within Defra’s Agricultural and Horticultural Survey.

The #GetFairAboutFarming campaign has seen over 60,000 people sign a petition to the government, but campaigners say the silence from major supermarkets has been “deafening”.

Nestled in the idyllic Vale of Belvoir in Leicestershire lies Belvoir Farm. At 60 acres, their organic elderflower plantation is the largest in the UK. Fruit & Vine met with owner Peverel Manners, alongside farm manager Keith Challen, at the start of their elderflower harvest.

Fruit & Vine spoke with Pete Thompson of Thompson’s Fresh Produce Ltd, which specialises in growing for the specialist Oriental food sector, as well as niche tree fruit, to find out more about how a vegetable farm in Harwich has become known for its citrus fruits and olives.

Hogs Back Brewery’s popular Hop Harvest Festival welcomed more than 3,500 visitors this year, making the event the biggest hop harvest party ever held at the brewery.

Trials on UK grapevines have shown that applying silicon as a foliar spray can help reduce excessive accumulation of copper, which can affect the sensory qualities of wine.

A collaboration between NIAB and Viveros de Excelencia S.A. de C.V. (VIVEX) will see the launch of raspberry varieties Malling Bella and Malling Charm, from NIAB’s Malling™ Fruits portfolio, in Mexico.

Having grown fruit since Victorian times, Hugh Lowe Farms has a strong sense of tradition embedded into its practices. However, owner and managing director Marion Regan believes growth is driven by moving along with time, as well as having an unrelenting passion for growing better fruit, year after year.

The farming minister has announced 19 projects will receive a share of government funding to develop new technologies to predict strawberry yield, increase vineyard productivity and optimise harvesting schedules.

New and existing customers enjoyed an opportunity to see the latest fruit and vineyard machinery working at events organised by Ernest Doe & Sons in Essex and Surrey in early July. Machinery editor David Williams was there.

A consortium led by the UK’s oldest wine merchant, Berry Bros & Rudd, has initiated a takeover bid for Hambledon Vineyard in Hampshire.