HC Deb 24 July 1972 vol 841 c221W
Miss Quennell

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of this season's soft fruit crop; and how it will compare with previous years.

Mr. Peter Mills

Preliminary estimates of this season's gross production of the major soft fruit crops in England and Wales are shown below, together with figures for earlier years.

ENGLAND AND WALES
('000 tons)
1967–1971 5-year average 1971 Provisional 1972 Forecast
Strawberries… 43.8 47.7 42.6
Raspberries… 2.4 2.8 2.8
Blackcurrants 17.2 22.3 21.8
Gooseberries… 10.6 9.8 7.5

Miss Quennell

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of this season's hard-topped fruit crop.

Mr. Peter Mills

First estimates of this season's gross production of the major orchard fruits grown in England and Wales will be compiled at the end of July and published early in August. Present indications are that production of apples and pears will fall below the high level reached last year, although some varieties are expected to yield quite well. The prospects for plums and cherries are for crops similar to last year's.