In 2023 Clarke’s Fresh Fruit maintained their practice of delivering fruit innovation alongside their continuous programme to drive sustainability practices. By implementing methods such as crop husbandry, engaging with a crop advisor, and altering the crop variety to those less favourable to pests, Clarke’s Fresh Fruit decreased their reliance on pesticides.
Due to the reduction in pesticide usage, the natural pollinators in the locality began to thrive, therefore, imported beehives were reduced to maintain balance in the ecosystem.
The company reduced their number of imported beehives from 546 in 2022 to 425 in 2023, Clarke’s Fresh Fruit have exceeded their milestone target by 26%. Additionally, biological controls were incorporated to aid in the reduction in pesticide usage. This resulted in the company reducing the volume of pesticides used from 1,937 litres in 2022 to 1,904 litres in 2023, in both liquid and granular form despite unfavourable weather conditions, exceeding their milestone target by 22%.