Apple size expected to drop this year

Garden and greenhouse lovers who grow their own fruit may be interested to hear that their apple crops might be more valuable this year.

English Apples and Pears recently told Grower that it expects 2009s harvest to be 20 per cent smaller than originally predicted.

It explained that the size of the apples is expected to have reduced, meaning that overall tonnage is likely to be down on initial expectations.

However, the organisations chief executive Adrian Barlow explained that the total weight could still be more than that of 2008.

He said a lot depends on the weather over the next few weeks, suggesting that rain could help boost the size of the fruit.

Mr Barlow added that the dry conditions have helped make harvesting the apples easier.

"We have had no difficulties with the handling of the crop and have been able to get on with the picking," the expert revealed.

Meanwhile, Norman Collet apples are expected to celebrate a bumper harvest after its Rubens brand performed well in only its second growing season, Grower reported.