Bramley Crop Information Winter 2008

From the beginning of August to 31st December, sales of Bramley to the
fresh market increased by just over 14%. The trend continued in the
first three weeks of January with sales to multiples being almost 10%
greater than in the same three weeks of 2007.

Several factors have contributed to the soaring sales including:

• an increased range of packs introduced by some retailers.
• greater shelf-space and more prominent support materials in retail stores.
• the use of individual apple labels.
• promotional activity by retailers in the early autumn.
• the effectiveness of the publicity Campaign.
  

The Bramley Apple Campaign’s Adrian Barlow said “An analysis of current
stocks and sales trends indicates there are likely to be shortages of supplies
for the fresh market towards the end of June and into July, until new season
stocks become available.”

Sales of Bramley to the processing industry have been good despite the reduction in demand from the cider sector caused by the well-publicised slowdown in sales of cider during last summer. At this stage we expect supplies of Bramley for processing to last until next season.

Many catering and foodservice companies will be featuring Bramley products during Bramley Apple Week and later in February including Wetherspoons, Greggs the Bakers, Spirit Group, Makro, 3663, Bookers, Wyevale, and Woodwards. The Tootsies group of restaurants will be stocking Bramley Apple Pie for the first time.