National Fruit Show
Facebook Linkedin Instagram
Register for the Show
Become a Member

Competitions

Put your fruit centre stage

Every competition entry contributes to the renowned commercial fruit display at the heart of the National Fruit Show.
Whether you are an experienced competitor or entering for the first time, it is an opportunity to showcase the quality of your crop, have it assessed by expert judges and see how it compares with other top fruit and nuts grown across the UK.
Jonathan Blackman, Chair of Judges
aH0029A3777
47
aH0029A4158
Award winning nuts
H0029A4145
H0029A3241
_A0005A5488
H0029A3354
H0029A4790
H0029A3312
H0029A3765
56
55
54
49
57
48

With classes for apples, pears, cobnuts and walnuts, dedicated opportunities for entrants under 40, and special competitions for taste and weight, there are plenty of ways to take part.

Entering is then straightforward. Choose the most suitable competition class, submit the entry form below by the relevant deadline and follow the preparation and packing guidance.

Explore the categories below and find the right competition for your fruit.

Ready to enter? Click here to complete the online entry form.

Competition Schedule and Guide for Competitors

Download the Competition Schedule and Guide for more information on the classes, prizes, rules and how to pack your fruit.

Download Now

The Bonanza Prize

The Bonanza Prize rewards growers who support the Show with multiple high-quality fruit entries.

For every three entries staged in Classes 1 to 17 that each achieve at least 85 points, your name will be entered once into the Bonanza Prize draw. The winner will be drawn during the prize-giving ceremony at the National Fruit Show.

The prize changes each year and is usually of significant value.
For 2026, the prize is the supply and installation of an air-to-air heat pump system worth £1,250, kindly sponsored and provided by Staxsons Mechanical & Electical Services.

Sponsored by

Find your competition class

Explore the main competition categories below. Fruit sizes are mandatory in many classes, so please check the full Competition Schedule before completing your entry.
  • Class 1 — Bramley: 90–100mm diameter
  • Class 2 — Bramley: 80–90mm diameter
  • Class 3 — Any other culinary apple variety: 75–100mm diameter, with a 5mm differential
  • Class 4 — Harlequin Fit for a King: Fruit of differing sizes

Classes 1 to 16 are open to all growers. Each entry consists of three trays. Only one tray is examined in detail by the judges, but all three must contain fruit of the correct size and be uniform in colour.

  • Class 5 — Cox’s Orange Pippin or any sport of Cox: 65–70mm or 70–75mm
  • Class 6 — Cameo: 65–70mm or 70–75mm
  • Class 7 — Jazz: 65–70mm or 70–75mm
  • Class 8 — Gala or any sport of Gala: 65–70mm or 70–75mm
  • Class 9 — Russets, all varieties: 65–70mm or 70–75mm
  • Class 10 — Magic Star: 65–70mm or 70–75mm
  • Class 11A — Braeburn or any sport of Braeburn: 65–70mm
  • Class 11B — Braeburn or any sport of Braeburn: 70–75mm or 75–80mm
  • Class 12A — Any other dessert apple variety introduced before 2013:
    • Small-fruited varieties: 65–70mm or 70–75mm
    • Large-fruited varieties: 70–75mm or 75–80mm
  • Class 12B — Any new dessert apple variety introduced after 2013:
    • Small-fruited varieties: 65–70mm or 70–75mm
    • Large-fruited varieties: 70–75mm or 75–80mm

Classes 1 to 16 are open to all growers. Each entry consists of three trays. Only one tray is examined in detail by the judges, but all three must contain fruit of the correct size and be uniform in colour.

  • Class 13 — Comice: 70–75mm, 75–80mm or 80–85mm
  • Class 14 — Conference: 60–65mm or 65–70mm
  • Class 15 — Concorde: 60–65mm, 65–70mm or 70–75mm
  • Class 16 — Any other pear variety: 60–65mm, 65–70mm, 70–75mm, 75–80mm or 80–85mm

Classes 1 to 16 are open to all growers. Each entry consists of three trays. Only one tray is examined in detail by the judges, but all three must contain fruit of the correct size and be uniform in colour.

  • Class 17 — Dessert apples entered by someone under 40

The under 40 category encourages the next generation of fruit industry professionals to take part. Entrants do not have to have grown the fruit themselves, but they must select, pick and pack their own entry.

Under 40 entrants may enter pears and culinary apples in the appropriate open classes and are eligible for the relevant championship trophies, as well as awards specifically for younger competitors. Dessert apples can be entered in Class 17 or another suitable dessert apple class.

  • Tastiest Apple: five apples of one variety.
  • Five Heaviest Apples: five apples of one variety.
  • Five Heaviest Pears: five pears of one variety.

Entries must be registered in advance and clearly labelled. The varieties should be provided where known.

  • Class 50 — Kentish cobnuts
  • Class 51 — Cobnuts of any other variety
  • Class 55 — Walnuts

Each cobnut entry consists of four 250g punnets: two with the husks on and two with the husks removed.

Each walnut entry consists of two punnets containing eight unbleached walnuts in their shells. The walnut class is open to commercial and amateur growers.

Please consult the Competition Schedule for the required quantities, packaging and preparation instructions.

The Long Term Farm-Stored competition recognises the skill involved in maintaining fruit quality beyond harvest.

  • Class 22 — Gala or any sport of Gala
  • Class 23 — Bramley
  • Class 24 — Any other dessert apple variety introduced before 2013
  • Class 25 — Any other dessert apple variety introduced after 2013
  • Class 26 — Pears
  • Class 27 — Braeburn

The competition is held separately, with entries displayed and results announced at the Marden Fruit Show Society’s AGM the following year.

favicon-1

Not sure which class? First time entering?

We warmly welcome new competitors and are happy to guide you through every stage of entering.

The Competition Secretary can help you choose the right class, and support those wanting to learn more about selecting suitable fruit and understand how to prepare, pack and label entries correctly.

If you cannot deliver your fruit in person, please speak to us. Through our network of industry contacts across the UK, we may be able to help arrange for your entries to be transferred to the Show.

We want to make entering as straightforward as possible, so please ask if you need any help.

Email: competitions@nationalfruitshow.org.uk

How to enter the National Fruit Show competition

Review the competition categories and select the class or classes that best match your fruit. Check the full Competition Schedule carefully, as mandatory fruit sizes, quantities and preparation requirements vary between classes.

You may enter more than one class and submit multiple entries where appropriate.

Complete the Competitor Registration Form, providing details of each class and variety you wish to enter.

Alternatively, complete the relevant entry form in the Competition Schedule and email it to the Competition Secretary at  competitions@nationalfruitshow.org.uk.

Your entry must be received by the relevant deadline:

  • Apple and pear classes 1–17: 12th October 2026
  • Cobnut and walnut classes: 16th October 2026
  • Tastiest apple and five heaviest apples and pears: 30th October 2026
  • Long term farm-stored classes: 26th February 2027

Apple, pear, cobnut and walnut entries must be presented in the official National Fruit Show competition packaging supplied by Produce Packaging Ltd.

Once your entry has been received, you will be given information about collecting your packaging. Collection points are available at East Harling, Marden, Ledbury, Wisbech and Codford.

If you need assistance in getting your fruit delivered to the Kent Event Centre, please speak with the Competitions Secretary.

Choose fruit that meets the requirements for your class and follow the preparation and packing instructions in the Competition Schedule.

Apple and pear entries in classes 1–17 consist of three trays, labelled A, B and C. Tray A will be examined in detail by the judges. Trays B and C must contain fruit of the same size and colour, however, these two additional trays form part of the central display, so fruit can be carefully positioned with any blemishes out of sight.

The tastiest apple and heaviest fruit competitions require five fruits per entry. Cobnut and walnut classes have their own quantities and packing requirements.

Clearly mark each entry with your exhibitor number, competition class, variety and sport where applicable. Do not include your name or any other identifying information on the fruit or packaging.

Competition entries must be delivered to:

Kent Event Centre
Kent Showground
Detling, Maidstone
Kent ME14 3JF

Top fruit, tastiest apple, heaviest fruit, cobnut and walnut entries must arrive between 1pm and 3pm on 2nd November 2026. Late top-fruit entries cannot be accepted.

If you need assistance in getting your fruit delivered to the Kent Event Centre, please speak with the Competitions Secretary.

Arrangements for the long term farm-stored classes will be confirmed with entrants nearer the time.

Entries will be staged and assessed by the appointed competition judges before the Show opens. Winning fruit will be displayed at the National Fruit Show, with prizes presented on 4th November 2026.

Competitor Registration Form

Competition trophies and awards

Alongside the prize money available in individual classes, competitors have the opportunity to win a range of historic cups, salvers, medals and special awards.

You do not need to submit a separate entry for these awards. Eligible exhibits and competitors will be considered automatically according to their class results and overall scores.

  • The Roderic Sarson Memorial Trophy — Best all-round exhibit of apples
  • The NFU Prize of £400 — Best exhibit in Show
  • The Podger Norton Trophy — Best exhibit of culinary apples
  • The Fruiterers Company Medal — Most meritorious exhibit of culinary apples
  • The Fyffes Salver — Best exhibit of Bramley
  • The Dan Wuille Cup — Culinary apple exhibit showing the best colour and skin for its variety
  • Class 1 — The Alfred Shread Challenge Cup
  • Class 2 — Squire Salver
  • Class 3 — Dufaylite Developments Cup
  • Class 4 — Systhane Cup
  • The Stokes Bomford Rose Bowl — Best exhibit of dessert apples
  • The Fruiterers Company Medal — Most meritorious exhibit of dessert apples
  • The UKF Fertilisers Cup — Best exhibit of Cox’s Orange Pippin or any sport of Cox
  • The John Henshall Salver — Best dessert apple exhibit grown in the UK outside Kent
  • The R Mitchell Challenge Cup — Best dessert apple variety introduced to the UK after 2000
  • Class 5 — Vernon Hayes (Seeds) Ltd Challenge Cup
  • Class 6 — Cornwallis Cup
  • Class 7 — Fuller Water Systems Trophy
  • Class 8 — Pask Cornish & Smart Cup
  • Class 9 — Henshall Rose Bowl
  • Class 10 — A R Piller Challenge Cup
  • Class 11A — The WASP Bin Trophy
  • Class 11B — The Horticultural Containers Wine Goblets
  • Class 12A — George Harlow Cup
  • Class 12B — Invicta Petroleum Shield
  • The Bayer Rose Bowl — Best exhibit of pears
  • The Fruiterers Company Medal — Most meritorious exhibit of pears
  • Class 13 — Ernest White Cup
  • Class 14 — AMG Trophy
  • Class 15 — East Kent Packers Cup
  • Class 16 — Segro Salver
  • The Arthur Goatham Memorial Trophy — Best exhibit of Bramley
  • The David Burd Memorial Trophy — Under-40 entrant gaining the most points across all classes
  • The W Bruce Challenge Cup — Best under-40 dessert apple exhibit, excluding Cox’s Orange Pippin and its sports
  • The Sue Daly Novice Trophy
  • Class 17 — Western International Market Shield for Dessert Apples
  • The John Bardsley Tankard — Most meritorious cobnut entry
  • The Winch Memorial Challenge Cup — Highest points total for exhibits grown in Kent south of the M20
  • The John Thwaites Challenge Bowl — Highest points total for exhibits grown in Kent north of the M20
  • The Fiennes Cornwallis Trophy — Highest total number of points across all classes
  • The BIFGA Prize — Highest-scoring exhibit entered by a BIFGA member
  • The John Acock Memorial Rosebowl — Competitor with the most points in the culinary classes
  • The Agrovista Regional Champion Cup — Grower with the most points from the Eastern Counties
  • The Agrovista Regional Champion Cup — Grower with the most points from the West Midlands
  • The Cantagrians Association Cup — Best exhibit picked and packed by a former student of Hadlow College, KFI or KHI
  • The J R Breach Prize — For Nuvar, Cheerfull Gold NC1, Stardance NC2, Cabaret NC3 and Misty Rose NC4
  • Class 22 — The Bloomfields Award: Gala
  • Class 23 — The John Wills Award: Bramley
  • Class 24 — National Fruit Show Award for Long-Term Farm-Stored AOV before 2013
  • The Marks & Spencer Trophy: Best entry of Cox
  • Class 25 — National Fruit Show Award for Long-Term Farm-Stored AOV after 2013
  • Class 26 — National Fruit Show Award for Long-Term Farm-Stored Pears
  • Class 27 — The Lambert & Foster Award: Braeburn
  • The Ron Tassell Trophy — Store operator responsible for the best all-round exhibit in the long-term farm-stored classes

FAQs

I have never entered before. Can I still take part?
Absolutely. First-time competitors are encouraged to enter, and the Competition Secretary can help you choose the right class and understand the preparation and packing requirements.
Classes 1 to 16 are open to individual growers, partnerships and businesses that have grown the fruit entered and have been responsible for its production. Eligible students studying an accredited horticulture course or apprenticeship may also enter.
For open apple and pear classes, the exhibitor must have grown the fruit entered. This requirement does not apply to the under-40 dessert apple class, although the entrant must select, pick and pack the fruit themselves.
The category is open to entrants who have not reached their 40th birthday by 1st December in the competition year. The entrant’s name and date of birth must be provided on the registration form.
The walnut class is open to both commercial and amateur growers. Please contact the Competition Secretary if you are unsure whether you are eligible for another class.
Yes. You can enter multiple classes and may submit more than one entry in the same class. Each entry must be recorded separately and labelled correctly.
Yes. Apple, pear, cobnut and walnut entries must be presented in the official National Fruit Show packaging supplied by Produce Packaging Ltd. Collection arrangements will be confirmed once your entry has been received.

Each entry in classes 1 to 17 consists of three 60cm × 40cm trays, labelled A, B and C. Tray A will be examined in detail by the judges. Trays B and C must contain fruit of the same size and colour, however, these two additional trays form part of the central display, so fruit can be carefully positioned with any blemishes out of sight.

Apples and pears do not have to be fully ripe when displayed, but they must be firm and capable of reaching a satisfactory stage of ripeness. Over-ripe fruit or fruit that is unlikely to ripen properly may lose points.
Entries are assessed for freedom from disease, pests, bruising and other damage, as well as internal condition, skin quality, uniformity of colour, size and shape. A total of 100 points is available.

Entries for the November Show must be delivered to Kent Event Centre, Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3JF, between 1pm and 3pm on 2nd November 2026.

Delivery arrangements for the long term farm-stored classes will be confirmed separately.

Yes. If you need assistance in getting your fruit delivered to the Kent Event Centre, please speak with the Competitions Secretary.

Yes. Individual classes offer prize money and many are associated with perpetual trophies. Additional awards recognise outstanding exhibits, overall achievement, entrants under 40 and other eligible competitors.

Competition fruit forms part of the display throughout the Show and cannot be removed early. At the end of the event, the fruit trays are sold to raise funds for the Marden Fruit Show Society’s education programme. A selection of fruit is also usually sent to Buckingham Palace. Surplus fruit is then distributed to local food banks and used by the educational team when visiting schools and youth organisations. 

For help selecting a class, arranging packaging or transport, or understanding the competition rules, contact the Competition Secretary at  competitions@nationalfruitshow.org.uk.

favicon-1

Past winners

Explore the full list of last year's winners.

View Past Winners