Concept Orchards

We developed our Concept Orchards in response to the decline of the traditional British apple and pear orchard. We are using them to test the impact of new growing systems on different varieties, and to increase yields through new growing practices.

Apples

• We sell one in four apples in the UK, equating to over 210 million during the British apple season
• Our Concept Apple Orchards have helped us to increase yields from 20 tonnes per hectare to 60 tonnes per hectare
• Sainsbury's is the only retailer to sell Bramley apples that are direct descendants of the original Bramley apple tree

Pears

• Sainsbury's is the largest retailer of British pears in the UK: a third of all British pears bought in the UK are sold through our stores
• We sell over 45 million British pears during the season
• We offer at least five varieties of British pears and are proud to be the market leader of British conference pears
• Our Concept Pear Orchard at the East Malling Institute of Horticulture Research aims to secure the future of British pear growers by ensuring continued innovation