Debate contribution: Apple-growing Industry in Newry and Armagh
Debate contribution by Mr William Irwin on .
- MLA
- Mr William Irwin
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 7 October 2025
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Adjournment
- Heading
- Apple-growing Industry in Newry and Armagh
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5165273
Read the official Assembly record
Text
With between 4,000 and 5,000 acres of orchards dedicated to growing apples in the Armagh area, it is clearly an important local element of the horticultural sector in the region. Unfortunately for me, boundary changes moved about 90% of apple growers into my colleague's constituency.
That having been said, securing PGI status for the Armagh Bramley in 2012 was hard worked for and very welcome. That has been a valued and unique selling point, not only for the Bramley variety in the Armagh area but for apples generally in all their varieties, as well as apple-based products. Whether it is the unique and very tasty Bramley apple tart, or the various apple juices and ciders that are produced in the area, I wholeheartedly commend all those who are associated with the sector for making their apple produce such a success. Of course, many difficulties and challenges exist for the sector, as they do in all food-related sectors, and market forces play a very important role in the profits and losses that are associated with the apple harvest each season. I recall from my discussions with growers that last year was a reasonably good year. There was high demand for the produce, and with that came a return for the growers. Their efforts associated with the harvest saw
for the crop. This year, the crop is significant, with the very favourable growing conditions that were enjoyed throughout the summer. That has had a major impact on the market, with an abundance of supply meaning that prices have taken a downward turn. That has undoubtedly caused concern for producers. The Bramley variety is only one of the three products in Northern Ireland that has achieved PGI status. Whilst that status is very welcome, it is very important that a massive amount of work, energy and resources is put into growing and harvesting apples. The vast majority of apples are processed by a number of local processors and sold in the UK mainland market and in the Irish Republic to bakeries to produce tarts and the like. The Minister has previously referred to support schemes, including the farm sustainability transition payment and the sustainable agriculture programme. He has highlighted the moneys that are paid against land and area that is registered as commercial orchards. There is a concern — I have heard it directly from growers — that this year's harvest, whilst plentiful, will be of a much lower value than previous harvests. That is a worry for growers, and I ask the Minister to explain to the House what measures he can deploy in order to assist growers in what is a challenging time.
442 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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