Cranfield study reveals hidden environmental cost of imported apples

A nine-year study from Cranfield University has peeled back the layers on the environmental impact of the UK apple supply chain, revealing that where an apple is grown can drastically shift its water and carbon footprint.

The peer-reviewed research, published in Agricultural Water Management, analysed data from 2016 to 2025, comparing British-grown apples against imports from Europe and the Southern Hemisphere. The findings provide a robust “sustainability scorecard” for retailers and food service providers looking to decarbonise their procurement.

One of the study’s most striking revelations concerns the “blue water scarcity footprint” — a measure of the strain placed on local freshwater resources.

Researchers found that British apples have a negligible water footprint because they are predominantly rain-fed. In stark contrast, imports from water-stressed regions like Spain and South Africa rely heavily on irrigation. While these regions represent a minority of the UK’s total apple volume, they account for the vast majority of the supply chain’s total water scarcity impact.

While greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at the orchard stage were found to be broadly similar across the UK, Europe, and Chile (averaging around 0.32 to 0.54 kg CO₂e per kg), the “hidden” emissions occur after the fruit leaves the tree.

• Cold storage: for Northern Hemisphere apples, energy-intensive cold storage is the primary emissions driver.
• Logistics: when maritime shipping from the Southern Hemisphere is factored in, the total carbon footprint of imported apples rises significantly.

“Our analysis shows that sourcing decisions matter,” said Tim Hess, Emeritus Professor of Water and Food Systems at Cranfield. “Apples grown in the UK and Northern Europe deliver low water-scarcity impacts while maintaining comparable or better greenhouse gas performance. This highlights the value of regional sourcing.”

The study identifies three primary “levers” for the industry to further reduce its environmental impact:

1. Storage efficiency: investing in modern, low-carbon cold storage infrastructure.
2. Energy Decarbonisation: transitioning to renewable electricity for packhouses and storage facilities.
3. Sustainable sourcing: prioritising regional production to minimize long-haul shipping and water-scarcity risks.

Ali Capper, executive chair of British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL), welcomed the findings, stating they provide “robust, independent evidence” of the strategic importance of domestic production. Capper called on the government to provide capital allowances to help growers invest in the next generation of energy-efficient storage.

For the food and drink trade, the Cranfield study suggests that “food miles” are only one part of the equation. A truly “green” apple requires a systems-level approach that considers local water stress and the carbon intensity of the journey from orchard to shelf.

“Sustainability is not determined primarily in the orchard,” added Dr Natalia Falagán, co-author and senior lecturer in Food Science. “Post-harvest storage and energy sourcing can shift impacts as much as growing conditions. Climate-smart supply chains require coordination well beyond the farm gate.”