A fruit grower in Kent is using a special protective coating on his apples as Britain’s intense heat puts this year’s crop under pressure. Clive Baxter, who works on a family farm in Maidstone, says prolonged sunshine and temperatures above 30C are damaging fruit still hanging on the trees.
The treatment has been compared to sun cream because it is being applied to help shield apples from extreme heat and direct sunlight. According to the report, fruit exposed for too long is being spoiled, with the inside affected as conditions become unusually hot.
The case highlights how Britain’s record-breaking heatwave is creating fresh problems for farmers. For apple growers, the concern is not just dry weather but also heat stress that can affect the quality of fruit before harvest.
With the hot spell continuing, growers are looking for ways to limit losses and protect crops from further damage. On this Kent farm, that has meant turning to an extra layer of protection to keep apples from effectively overheating on the tree.
