Tesco Ireland today announces a new and novel ‘modern orchard’ partnership which will see previously international varieties of apples and pears, grown and sourced in the first ‘modern orchard’ in Ireland. Picture shows from left John Brennan, fresh category director, Tesco Ireland; Lorcan Bourke, sector manager, Bord Bia; and Oliver McCann, managing director, McCann Orchards.

Tesco branches into Orchard partnership with local growers

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Tesco Ireland has announced a new and novel ‘modern orchard’ partnership which sees previously international varieties of apples and pears, grown and sourced in the first ‘modern orchard’ in Tullyallen near the Louth/Meath border.

In a new two-year deal, worth €2.5m, Tesco has partnered with established orchard growers, the McCann family from County Armagh, and will be its anchor customer for the innovative new 130-acre Tullyallen ‘modern orchard’, based in The Boyne Valley.

Over 100,000 trees have been planted and novel new fruit growing techniques deployed to cultivate popular modern varieties of apples and pears – including gala and golden delicious apples, conference and QTee pears. This is the first ‘modern orchard’ to grow these varieties commercially in Ireland, having previously been imported.

Tullyallen Orchard is unique in that it comprises c1,300 trees per acre compared to a traditional orchard in Ireland with just 200-350 trees per acre. Each tree is planted being supported by wooden posts and a three-tier wire system in order to safely carry the fruit load when in full crop during the growing season.

John Brennan, Fresh Category Director, from Tesco Ireland said: “As we celebrate 25 years in Ireland, it’s exciting to announce new innovation with one of our long-standing suppliers, McCann Orchards. This is a positive development for Tesco as we seek new more sustainable ways to deliver for the customer."

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