New Research Confirms Environmental Advantage Of British Apples

Fresh, crisp and homegrown has just gained a serious scientific boost.

New peer-reviewed research led by Cranfield University has reinforced the environmental credentials of British apples, finding they deliver a negligible “blue water scarcity footprint” thanks to the UK’s predominantly rain-fed production. In plain English: British orchards largely rely on rainfall rather than heavy irrigation, meaning domestic apples place far less pressure on water-stressed regions than some imports.

Published in Science Direct, the study assessed the UK fresh apple supply chain over 2016–2025, analysing both greenhouse gas emissions and blue water scarcity impacts across domestic production and key import origins in Europe and the Southern Hemisphere.

Imports Can Drive Outsized Water Risk

While imported apples remain an important part of year-round supply, the research highlights a critical trade-off: apples sourced from water-stressed regions that require irrigation can contribute disproportionately to the UK’s overall water-scarcity impact.

The researchers found the highest blue water consumption and water footprint were associated particularly with South Africa and Spain, whereas water scarcity footprints were described as negligible where production is rain-fed — notably the UK.

Crucially, the report notes that even where these higher-impact imports account for a minority share of volume, they can represent most of the water-scarcity impacts linked to apple consumption in the UK.

Cold Storage Is The Big Emissions Hotspot

On greenhouse gas emissions, the study found emissions per kilogram at the orchard production stage were broadly similar for UK, European and Chilean apples. The bigger differentiator comes after harvest.

Across all origins, cold storage was identified as the largest post-harvest (pre-transport) contributor to emissions — a point that matters hugely for a product designed to be available and high quality across the seasons.

Ali Capper, executive chair of British Apples & Pears (BAPL), said the research provides “robust, independent evidence” that British apples help reduce exposure to global water risk in the UK supply chain, underlining the strategic value of domestic production as sustainability, resilience and food security climb the agenda. Capper also pointed to the opportunity for investment in energy-efficient cold storage, suggesting government support through capital allowances could help accelerate lower-carbon infrastructure.

For UK growers, packers and retailers, the message is simple: backing British apples isn’t just a patriotic shelf-edge moment — it’s a measurable environmental advantage.