Red Apples

Record high temperatures have hit the Brazilian crop

Retailers are likely to find it harder and more expensive than usual to source Royal Gala apples this year, as unfavourable weather in Brazil puts pressure on supplies.

Brazil is a major supplier of Royal Gala in the summer, but its harvest is forecast to be down 15% to 20% following record high temperatures, which have caused sun damage to parts of the crop, produce supplier Reynolds said in an update to customers.

“For the southern hemisphere season, we will be relying more heavily on sourcing further afield than Brazil,” added head of marketing Andy Weir. “The New Zealand crop is an obvious choice to make up this shortage, but this will have cost implications.”