British Apples Get Sassy As Mansfields Harvests First UK Crop

A new arrival is bringing fresh bite to Britain’s apple orchards, with Kent grower Mansfields harvesting its first commercial crop of Sassy apples.

Originally developed in New Zealand, the variety has now made the move into British production. Mansfields holds the exclusive UK licence and has confirmed that it is growing Sassy commercially in Britain for the first time.

Recognisable by its ruby-red appearance, Sassy combines a crisp texture with sweetness and a tangy edge. Its first British harvest opens a new chapter for a brand that has already reached UK shoppers through imported New Zealand fruit.

As reported by Fruitnet, the development forms part of a wider ambition to build year-round availability, using production in different hemispheres to supply successive seasons. An update published in August outlined Mansfields’ planting programme and the expectation that its first UK trees would bear fruit this autumn.

Behind the variety is Next Generation Apples, a joint venture between New Zealand grower-exporters Golden Bay Fruit and Taylor Corp, which holds the global licence.

According to Plant & Food Research, Sassy was developed with both shoppers and growers in mind. Alongside colour, flavour and crunch, its breeding priorities included early ripening, storage performance, shelf life and natural resilience in the orchard. Mansfields’ exclusive licensing agreement and commercial planting programme form part of that international expansion.

The harvest also comes as Mansfields celebrates its place among the finalists for the Sustainability Excellence – Supply Chain award at the FPC Fresh Awards 2026, taking place on Friday 25 September at the Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London.

For the UK market, the first harvest marks a significant change: Sassy is becoming a home-grown proposition, adding British provenance to a brand already establishing its presence on supermarket shelves.