Weather Leads to Early Apple Harvest

The strong harvest contrasts the weak one of last year, during which small unripe fruit with low sugar levels led to low fermentation when used by cider makers.

The mild weather has meant that spring and summer arrived early, ensuring low levels of frost in the areas in which Hogan’s grows fruit: Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, an abundance of blossom and quick-forming fruit.

Allen Hogan of Hogan’s Cider said, “At Hogan’s Cider we try to take fruit from orchards who don’t use pesticides. The mild, wet winter and the absence of a cold snap to kill off orchard pests and diseases may be an issue for some of our growers.

“Just as Spring and Summer came early we are also expecting an early harvest, we normally start collecting perry pears from mid September, I think, given the conditions, it will be early September this year.”

Simon Russell, spokesperson for the National Association of Cider Makers said, “What is evident in recent years is the variation across different locations given the increasing incidence of more localised weather conditions. What growers and cider makers actually need is nothing too extreme and more predictable weather patterns - with less certainty throughout the growing season it becomes ever more challenging.

“However, most have fared well this year and the right mix of sunshine and rain over the next few weeks should mean great quality fruit to harvest for growers. Producers of all scales will then have the raw material to make some fantastic ciders for people to enjoy.”