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South West Cider Crop Hit by Drought
20 Aug
Summary
- Apples are smaller and crops lighter due to hot, dry weather.
- One farm expects only 10% of last year's cider production.
- Despite reduced yields, sufficient cider remains for the season.
Cider producers across the South West of England have reported that the ongoing hot and dry weather conditions have resulted in smaller apples and notably lighter crops. This situation is impacting businesses that rely on apple harvests for their cider production.
One farm owner in Okehampton has stated that her business anticipates producing only 10% of the cider volume compared to the previous year. She noted that the trees already appear autumnal, a sign of the stress caused by the dry summer following a wet spring.
However, she reassured customers that there would still be sufficient cider available for the rest of the season. This is partly due to a successful crop yield from last year. Another cider farm director in Redruth mentioned that their apples had begun dropping prematurely, leading to a reduced yield compared to previous seasons.
