Mansfields: Crop and Weather Summary

August 2007

August was a quiet month, it was largely settled at first and for the last week, but more unsettled around mid-month, with few thunderstorms but no repeat of the widespread downpours which characterised June and July. Mean temperatures generally close to average with most areas having their coldest August for over 10 years, with England having its coldest August since 1993. Averaged over England and Wales, the month's rainfall total of 61mm was 16 per cent below the long-term average.
In August we finished picking Reeves and Victoria plums, and started Marjorie’s- the plum season was good with good volumes. The crop quality and size was good because of all the rain as well as the thinning that took place earlier. We have started Conference pear, Discovery and Bramley apple picking a week earlier this season. Strawberries are also going very well.

About Us

Located in Kent, the Garden of England, Mansfields is one of the largest growers and packers of top, stone and soft fruit with over 35 years of experience. The family run business is the biggest UK apple grower and the largest UK cherry grower, whilst also growing pears, plums and strawberries in significant volumes. Mansfields is one of the only UK top fruit operations that is expanding both fruit production and packing facilities. The company comprises of over 3,000 acres of top fruit (dessert apples, culinary apples and pears), stone fruit (cherries and plums) and soft fruit (strawberries), which are grown on 15 locations in Kent at varied geographic locations in order to extend harvest seasons and to mitigate weather related risk. The main storage and packing site is located at Nickle Farm on the outskirts of Chartham village, six miles south of Canterbury on the A28

Corporate Social Responsibility

Mansfields seeks to recognise our responsibilities to our suppliers, customers, and staff and the way we impact on our social and physical environment. We have adopted a Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy (CSR) to position ourselves as a leading company in the provision of English fruit that meets the very high social and environmental expectations of our customers. Our CSR strategy details our visions, governance, structure and management systems and our key targets and objectives. We have set objectives and targets against our key environmental, social and economic priorities.