Hot summer leads to 'very sweet' apple crops

Cider producers say this summer's apples are smaller and sweeter

Cider producers are predicting a record-breaking - and sweeter - apple crop this year because of the long, hot summer.

Showerings Cider, in Shepton Mallet, said it is expecting a harvest of up to 3,000 tonnes of apples, compared to the 1,000 tonnes collected last year.

Director Nick Showering said: "I think the unprecedented sun is going to create a vintage like I've never seen before."

Another Somerset producer, Thatchers, also said the warm conditions have had an impact on crops.

In August, the company started the earliest harvest in its 120-year history.

The National Association of Cider Makers (NACM), which represents producers, says final volumes will depend heavily on weather conditions through the autumn.

Showerings Cider is expecting to harvest up to 3,000 tonnes of apples this year

Mr Showering said: "The sweetness means that the quality and the strength are going to be there, so we're going to end up with quite a strong vintage this year."

Severn Cider, a cider and perry producer in Gloucestershire, believes it is at the beginning of what could be "a very good harvest".

Tom Bull, a cider maker at the company, said weather conditions in winter and spring have also helped the crop.

"We had a great spring so we had loads of blossom and it stayed sunny and dry," he said.

"The bees got round all the flowers and fertilised them and now they've all turned into apples and pears."

Tom Bull from Severn Cider said the company is at the start of a very good harvest

The NACM says the harvest, which typically runs for around 12 weeks, is still in the early stages.

Mark Hopper, director of public affairs at NACM said the fruit quality from the 2025 cider apple harvest was "excellent".

"They're showing high sugar levels and strong flavour, although the apples are slightly smaller than average following reduced rainfall over the summer," he said.