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WellPict County Local and ASDA/IP Look
towards the future in the South West Region
Wellpict County Local and ASDA/IP are working towards supplying
Local Dessert Apples to consumers in the South West England.
The South West has a strong tradition as a highly successful
production area for cider apples, but over the years a significant
proportion of growers have grubbed their land for other uses.
However, now WellPict County Local and ASDA/IP think they could
meet a boom in demand for local produce by growing dessert apples
in the region.
Producing the fruit could open many doors for both growers and
speciality food producers as the apples would need a packhouse
that would be capable of meeting ASDA/IP’s storing and packing
requirements. This packhouse could then als o
be used as a Food Hub for local food distribution.
To this end, NFU South West Region has hosted a meeting of
interested farmers and growers of both conventional and organic
produce hosted by WellPict County Local and ASDA/IP to investigate
opportunities and regional interest in growing dessert apples.
The meeting was held recently at the Exeter Golf Club and was
chaired by Graham Nicholas, NFU Chairman of the Horticultural
Sector in the South West, Mark Dennis from ASDA/IP, Aurel
Voiculescu Director of Wellpict and Josh Kann General Manager of
Wellpict-County Local, and producers from Somerset, Devon,
Wiltshire and Gloucester attended the meeting.
Technical details of apple production in the South West were
discussed in-depth with reference to varieties, planting
requirements, organic and conventional off take, volumes required,
and potential support from Wellpict and ASDA/ IP.
Aurel Voiculescu director of Well Pict County Local said
“It
is interesting how crops go back to regions in a 20-year cycle. It
seems that we take for granted availability of UK produce, but
without adequate planning and marketing promotions, viable crops
go out of production. We need to make sure that we have a robust
plan to grow the most modern varieties in a sustainable way. I
hope that this initiative helps to revitalise a once vibrant
region of top fruit production.”
Jon Morgan Category Manager for IPL/ ASDA
added “ASDA
are committed to UK top fruit. We are making in roads in this area
and we still have a lot of room for improvement. We will continue
to play to our strengths and our customers will benefit from
having the opportunity to enjoy the best quality and value
combination on the high street. We are keen to offer sustainable
and long-term programmed business to those growers who have the
right varieties and mentality to deal and grow with ASDA.
Graham Nichols of the NFU said
“I
enjoyed chairing a meeting of committed British farmers who were
prepared to look at the challenge of diversification into growing
dessert apples. It would involve a long term business plan for the
grower and this partnership must be reciprocated on all sides.”
Interested growers should contact Well Pict County Local office on
01622 845 955 or info wellpict-countylocal.com.
For further information please visit
http://www.wellpict-countylocal.com
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A
look at Andrew Boxall`s award winning apples which now feature in ASDA
stores.
UK
supermarket ASDA is showing immense support to UK farmers following the
unseasonal weather so far.