Archived press release

Supermarkets fail british apple growers

25 November 2002

More than half of the apples on sale in most major supermarkets at the height of the British apple season are imported, a survey released by Friends of the Earth reveals today [1]. The survey also found a significant mark-up at checkouts on the price received by apple growers. Greengrocers and market stalls offered shoppers cheaper apples and an equally wide selection of British produce.

Although supermarkets offered slightly more choice of apple varieties than greengrocers and markets, this was due to the number of imported apples on offer. None of the outlets offered more than three varieties of British apple. This reflects a decline in the choice of native fruit. There used to be thousands of varieties of home grown apples in Britain, but many now only exist in the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale, Kent.

The survey confirms that supermarkets are not backing British growers, despite consumer demand. An opinion poll published by Friends of the Earth last week reveals that the majority of the British public think supermarkets are giving farmers a raw deal. Almost two thirds (63%) think farmers are not paid enough by supermarkets for the food they produce. And more than four fifths (84%) want the supermarkets to give preference to UK products over imported products when in season.

Importing apples increases the environmental impact – with some apples travelling 20,000 kms before they arrive on our shelves. Buying local produce also supports British growers.

Key results

• Less than half the apples sold in major supermarkets were British, with the exception of one outlet (Marks & Spencer who on average stocked 56% British apples)
• On average, less than a third of apples were British in Co-op, Morrisons and Safeway stores.
• A significant proportion of apples was imported from outside of the EU, including from New Zealand, Australia and USA.
• Out of the supermarkets only Waitrose, Tesco, Safeway and Sainsbury’s sold any British organic apples.
• Supermarkets, greengrocers and markets only offered on average three varieties of British apples. On average, supermarkets offered eight varieties of apples from all countries of origin. Waitrose offered 12 varieties.
• Both Cox and Bramley apples are cheaper in greengrocers and on market stalls than in the supermarket. For example Cox apples cost 43 pence more per kg in a supermarket than on a market stall.
• There is a significant mark up between farm gate and supermarket shelf for Cox apples.
• Only market stalls and greengrocers sold local produce. Where supermarkets did state county of origin, none were from the local area.

Friends of the Earth Food and Farming campaigner Sandra Bell said:
“Shoppers and farmers are getting a raw deal from the supermarkets this autumn. The British public have made it clear that they want British produce when it is in season, but supermarkets are still filling their shelves with imported apples. They should be offering shoppers a wide choice of British varieties. What is more, supermarkets are the most expensive place to buy apples, but they do not pass on a fair price to the growers. Until supermarkets back British produce, shoppers should look elsewhere for their fruit”.

Supermarket League Table ( percentage of apple lines sourced from UK, EU, Non-EU in supermarkets 2002)

Supermarkets vs markets and greengrocers (percentage of apples sourced from UK, EU, non-EU by outlet type)

Table 9: Farm gate and retail price for Cox apples, October 2002

*supplied by a marketing group - out of this total price, the grower must pay for grading, packaging and transport of his/her apples
** includes lower processing prices

Notes

[1] A full briefing and regional breakdowns are available from the press office at Friends of the Earth. The survey was carried out with approx 100 volunteers from over 40 local Friends of the Earth groups visiting 166 supermarkets, 74 greengrocers and 48 market stalls across the UK. Stores were visited in every English region (except NE), and in Wales and Northern Ireland. Pricing data was collected from fewer stores than sourcing data. The data was collected in late October at the height of the British apple season.
Full Briefing (PDF†)

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust