Mansfields, the UK’s leading fruit grower, achieved multiple category wins at the 2026 Long‑Term Farm‑Stored Competition, hosted by the National Fruit Show. The business secured first place in two major categories: the Bloomfields Class 22 Gala Award and the Lambert & Foster Class 27 Braeburn Award. Mansfields also placed third in several other classes, including Class 24 AOV Dessert (Smitten), Class 25 (Jazz) and Class 26 (Pears). Judging took place at the National Fruit Show, the Marden Fruit Show Society, AGA Horsmonden on 26 February 2026, jointly with British Apples and Pears (BAPL), and the awards were presented today, 24 March 2026, at the MFSS Annual General Meeting.
“At Mansfields, we pride ourselves on supplying top‑quality British produce to the end consumer. Meeting customer needs is always our foremost priority, and we’re delighted our Gala and Braeburn varieties - along with Smitten, Jazz and Pears - have been recognised this year. All these varieties come from our orchards in Kent where quality is managed from the very beginning, supported by control points at every stage of the growing process and a strong focus on sustainability across the business,” said Paul Hollman, Head of Intake & Stores, Mansfields.
Fruit quality begins in the orchards, where careful husbandry and efficient management ensure only the best fruit is selected for storage. Each harvest is categorised for immediate, short‑term, medium‑term or long‑term storage based on sampling, mineral analysis and performance data. Fruit destined for long‑term storage is managed using advanced technology and state‑of‑the‑art facilities designed to maintain exceptional eating quality in an energy‑efficient way. Mansfields operates multiple storage facilities and sites, including highly efficient glycol systems and stores that use very low global‑warming‑potential technology with low gas‑charge rates.
All stores are monitored year‑round with remote access to ensure consistent, optimal conditions, preserving firmness, colour and flavour of the fruit. Maintaining temperatures at the upper end of recommended ranges supports environmental efficiency, reduces CO₂ output and lowers energy use, an approach made possible by selecting the very best fruit at harvest.
“These fantastic results reflect the hard work and commitment of our teams across the business, from orchard to store. We are proud to see our British apples and pears performing so well and honoured to be recognised by the judges. These results highlight the strength of Mansfields’ end‑to‑end harvest operations and the value of ongoing investment in orchard management and storage technology,” said Dave Slaughter, Commercial Director, Mansfields.
