British apples and pears see record season in UK retail

Apple and pear growers have supplied the most British topfruit into UK retailers in any one season since records began, according to British Apples & Pears.

The growers group reported 180,506 tonnes of British apples and pears were supplied into UK supermarkets during the 2025/26 season.

This represents an increase of 10.4% compared with the 2024/25 season and the highest total since the group’s records began.

Across the full season, British apple sales reached a record 162,331 tonnes, an increase of 8.6% on 2024/25. Overall British pear sales rose by 29.3% to 18,175 tonnes, their highest level since 2018/19.

“This season the growers we represent delivered record sales of British apples and pears,” said executive chair Ali Capper “That is a tribute to the excellent eating quality of British fruit, the commitment of our growers and packers, and the support shown by retailer buying teams.”

The annual recognition for which retailer sold the most British apples was the closest in 13 years, with Tesco just beating Aldi by 190 tonnes.

“We knew of Tesco’s ambition to win because the UK CEO, Ashwin Prasad, name-checked the award at the NFU Conference in February. But Tesco only just made it,” added Capper.

“This year’s winners have demonstrated what is possible through a strong start to the season, sustained sales volumes and a commitment to British fruit that, for many, goes well beyond their overall share of the grocery market.”

Sainsbury’s led British pear sales with 6,012 tonnes, an increase of 13.7% on the previous season.

The growers group also recognised highest early season sales, with Lidl leading on apples at 4,313 tonnes of British apples during September and October 2025, and Sainsbury’s on pears, selling 847 tonnes during the same two-month period.

BAP also recognised the retailer that outperformed its market share by the highest level. Aldi received this award this year for apple sales after accounting for 21.2% of sales compared with an average grocery market share of 10.5%.

This represents an outperformance index of 2.02, meaning Aldi achieved just over twice the share of sales than might be expected from its grocery market presence.

In pears, Lidl accounted for 18.9% of sales among the retailers included in the analysis, compared with an average grocery market share of 8.3%, producing an outperformance index of 2.28.

“Congratulations to Aldi, Lidl, Sainsbury’s and Tesco, and thank you to all our retail partners for their support,” concluded Capper. “Growers have delivered an excellent record-breaking crop, retailers have shown that British fruit sells and consumers have demonstrated strong demand for it.”