BRADFORD-based supermarket Morrisons is selling supersized Braeburn apples after unusual weather conditions in spring produced a crop of giants. 

Unusual late frosts across the UK in April meant fewer apples grew, with as much as 10 per cent of the British Braeburn crop being affected.  But farmers were amazed to find that the reduced crop had grown to more than twice the size and weight of the norm.

Weighing in at an average of 450g each, the giant apples dwarf the typical Braeburn at 170g, and will be the biggest apple Morrisons has sold in living memory.

Morrisons has decided to take the giant-sixed crop from their British growers and will make 120,000 of the apples available over the next fortnight. 

British Braeburns are usually picked in the autumn months and require three weeks’ rest at chilled temperatures to sweeten. This year’s giant crop is a result of the latest UK frost for almost 20 years.

The cold April stopped apple trees from flowering fully, limiting the pollination essential for fruit growth. But favourable conditions later in the growing season gave a nutrient boost to the remaining apples which had got off to an early start, allowing them to grow to their giant size.


Mark Booth, apple expert at Morrisons said: “Ideal for snacking, sharing or baking, these giant British Braeburn apples offer great value to our family customers.

"Our relationship with our growers meant we were able to take the whole crop from our apple farmers and ensure these huge but delicious apples are eaten.”

Melvyn Newman, from Howfield Farm, Kent added: “This year’s frost caught lots of growers by surprise. Over a third of our Braeburns this year are a much bigger size and with a smaller crop overall, it would have been heartbreaking to leave oversized fruit on the trees when they are just as tasty and with better colour.”