Chill warms Herefordshire fruit grower's heart (From Hereford Times)

Chill warms Herefordshire fruit grower's heart

8:00am Monday 8th February 2010 in

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BLACKCURRANT bushes covered in frost and snow are a pleasing sight for fruit grower Anthony Snell.

They were getting the “chill factor” – just what they needed at this time of year, he said.

While the recent snow and frost were causing havoc on the roads and problems for other farmers, it was doing his trees a power of good to help them produce a good crop, come harvest.

Mr Snell, of award-winning fruit farmers A J and C I Snell, at Harewood End, said cold winter temperatures had a marked impact on plant pollination.

“Fruit needs a good winter chill for good even pollination in the spring and as October and November were quite mild, the snow and colder weather really has done some good.

“While the big chill has caused problems for some, you will find fruit farmers are getting winter where we want it.

“The snow has given our blackcurrants the chill factor they need,” he said.

Mr Snell, who is an organic and conventional grower and the NFU’s horticultural board chairman for the region, produces and packs fresh fruit for Ribena, frozen fruit for yoghurt and icecream makers and mixed fruit packs for M&S.

A member of the Blackcurrant Foundation, he said lots of blackcurrants were being imported from overseas, particularly Poland, for yoghurt and ice cream.

“But I feel we can compete well over here now and I would urge everyone to buy British and support regional fruit producers,” he said.