The English apple season has got off to a good start, confirmed Adrian Barlow, chief executive of English Apples & Pears this week.
The first Discovery has now been cleared and growers are marketing Worcester and some niche varieties such as Delbard Estivale.
"We are pleased with the speed of sale and returns at present," he added.
"It is a vital time as last season many producers showed a loss."
The key to a successful season will remain the profitability of Cox, where the crop looks good.
Barlow expects the first light picking of fruit to take place at the end of this month, coinciding with the official launch of the English apple season. "We should be in full production in the first week of next month," he said.
There are indications that there will be less 55/60mm fruit, though this should not affect availability for prepacks, which also take up the next largest apple - 60/65mm.
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