Top apple growers awarded

Ben and John McAlister who won the Murphy Challenge cup for the best orchard between 1 & 3 acres which had not won a cup in the last 4 years.

Armagh Bramley, which has PGI marketing status, is highly appreciated by the catering trade for its unique flavour and texture. There has been a good demand for quality fruit from 2023 harvest, both in the local market and for export to both Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

The warm, bright conditions in May and June resulted in optimal growth, however the incessant rainfall in mid-summer increased the level of fungal diseases and on occasions, it was very difficult to get opportunity to apply protectant fungicides. Nevertheless, the quality of harvested fruit was excellent and much of it has already been packed for the retail trade or processed into pie fillings, juice and cider. A considerable tonnage of 2023 crop has been put into cold storage and will be used to supply customers until apples from 2024 harvest are available.

Every year growers are encouraged to enter their best orchards into a competition organised by the Northern Ireland Fruit Growers’ Association (NIFGA). Awards are keenly contested as the judges look at every aspect of the growing Bramley crops including yield, freedom from pest and disease, orchard weed control etc. In 2023, NIFGA was very pleased to secure commercial sponsorship for many of the awards and this helps to raise the market profile of our unique Armagh Bramley.

NIFGA are very appreciative of the time taken by the judges, Kieran Lavelle (CAFRE) and Malcolm Dawson (formerly of AFBI), to judge the 2023 orchard entries. Congratulations to all the winners.