Britain recorded its warmest summer on record in 2025, leaving apple growers with a glut of sweet apples ideal for making cider, say growers.

Somerset

British apple growers, especially those in cider-producing regions like Somerset, are experiencing an unusually large harvest following a record hot summer. The prolonged warmth has resulted in apples that are both abundant and high in sugar, which is ideal for cider production. At Showerings Orchard, crews expect to collect about 3,000 metric tons of apples, nearly triple last year’s yield. Industry groups note that while some fruit is smaller due to the dry conditions, the increased sweetness is likely to produce complex and flavorful ciders. The UK Met Office confirmed that this summer was the warmest on record, with below-average rainfall, conditions attributed to human-driven climate change.

Hot summer gifts British apple growers 'monster harvest'

British cider makers are preparing for one of their sweetest vintages in years, after a record hot summer left orchards heavy with fruit. Across cider-producing region Somerset and beyond, growers and industry groups reported unprecedented harvests. At Showerings Orchard, harvest crews are expecting to collect about 3,000 metric tons of fruit, or just over 3,300 US tons. That's roughly triple last year's poor crop, after prolonged warmth lifted sugars. You always have challenges when you're farming, always. And 99% of them relate to the weather. And sometimes it's not how much you have, it's how little you have. You just can't tell. That's orchard master Bob Wadey. The standout from this year really is there's just so many apples. And when they go to make cider, they will love them because they are sweet. There's not lots of water in them. There's a lot of sugar, which is what the cider maker requires. The National Association of Cider Makers said apples this year are rich in natural sweetness and flavour. Though some fruit is smaller after a generally dry summer, a mix that many producers say can yield complex ciders. Nick Showering is a director at Showerings Cider. My family have been making cider here in Somerset for over 180 years. We started just across the road in a pub. In my time, I haven't seen a harvest quite like this. Not only the volume, where in comparison to last year, where we made 1000 tonnes, this year we're looking at more like two and a half to 3000. Also the sweetness that we're going to be getting from this summer's sun. Nothing like I've seen before. Britain recorded its warmest summer on record in 2025, the Met Office said on September 1st, with seasonal rainfall below average in much of England and Wales. It said that such heat has become far more likely because of human-driven climate change.

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