Another busy week, British Apples and Pears event at Mansfields Highland Court Farm and visiting a friend who lives where my Great Grandfather farmed in the 1800's and my Grandfather was born in 1876.
Below: Ali Capper with BAPL award winners from Tesco; Sainsbury; ALDI and LIDL at Mansfields Highland Court Farm
Award winning Retailers with Ali Capper at the annual presentation event on Wednesday 16th September 2026 held at 'The Night Barn' Highland Court Farm.
This was a very "full on event" and The English Apple Man will report the details over 2-3 weeks Journals.
British Apples & Pears Limited's (BAPL) Best British Apple Launch Award 2026 is now open for retailer planning.
As last year, this award will celebrate the most impactful, creative, and effective campaigns or activations that support the start of the British apple and pear season (September-November).
Whether it's a memorable TV advert, a standout in-store display, a sales-driving promotion, investment in sampling, engaging online storytelling, or a powerful multichannel campaign - we want to celebrate the very best examples of how retailers bring the new British season to life.
BAPL Press Release
British Apples & Pears brought growers, retailers, government colleagues and industry partners together at its annual orchard event in Kent on Wednesday 16 September to celebrate a record season for British apples and pears.
Speaking at the event, Executive Chair Ali Capper reported that sales from the 2025 season reached 180,506 tonnes, up 10.4% on the previous year. She thanked growers, packers and retailers for their contribution, while acknowledging the frost, hail, sunscorch and drought that have made the 2026 crop costly to grow and harvest.
Ali also reflected on BAPL's work with the wider supply chain, including sustainability reporting, grower workshops and efforts to reduce duplicated audits. Her message was that continued collaboration and profitable returns will give growers the confidence to invest and grow.
Below: Modern apple harvester increasingly in use on larger fruit farms
More on BAPL Awards Day next week
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On Thursday, The English Apple Man was invited to visit a small estate where my Great Grandfather grew hops and farmed from 1850 until 1900 and where my Grandfather was born in 1876. Of particular interest was a Braeburn Orchard previously seen in it's infancy by The EAM a few years ago.
Below: Braeburn orchard and Braeburn Tree
Below: Breaburn Apples - The English Apple Man poses with my canine friend - Mine host
That is all for this week
Take care
The English Apple Man