Temperatures give exotics a warm welcome

There is potential for kiwifruit to grow in the UK. Photo / Dean Purcell

Kiwifruit, peaches, grapes and nectarines could soon be grown in the Garden of England due to climate change, according to a new report.

Growers in Kent will be able to cultivate crops that normally flourish in the heat of southern Europe, South America and Africa, it suggests.

The reason lies in the decline of the winter chill, meaning prolonged periods when the temperature stays above freezing but below 7C, essential for the successful growing and harvesting of many perennial fruits such as apples, pears, blackcurrants and hops.

But climate records studied by East Malling Research show that the amount of winter chill across the UK has fallen since 1913, with the most dramatic drop in the southeast. Experts say that a continued decline in the chill would result in a change in the fruit varieties that could thrive in the region.

British grape production is already increasing and kiwifruit and other more exotic fruits may also have potential to grow there, say experts.

Chris Atkinson, head of science at East Malling Research, said: "Our climate records, kept since 1913, when compared to data from other UK locations, show that throughout the country the amount of winter chill has already declined.

"In the southeast we are already experiencing a 12 per cent reduction in the number of chill hours each winter, while the number of spring frosts has declined by a much higher percentage."

Mr Atkinson said that as temperatures increased, the amount of chill that Britain received was expected to decline further. In the worst-case scenario in terms of climate change, the winter chill in Kent was predicted to decline by more than 50 per cent by 2080.

Winters would continue generally to become shorter and milder, meaning that in the southeast the yield of perennial crops would fall and farmers would need to consider growing new crops used to warmer climates.