AN UNUSUAL change in the Kent business landscape has attracted attention this week.

Kent’s fruit farmers, until recently almost an endangered species themselves, are starting – like all enduring businesses should – to adapt their products to the environment around them.

Subsequently, some of Kent’s traditional fruit orchards could now be mistaken for their Mediterranean cousins as apricot, kiwi and walnut trees grow in the fields of the Weald.

Sainsbury’s has just reported the success of its first UK apricot harvest, grown in the fields around Canterbury, and Sittingbourne food specialist Opies is buying in locally produced walnuts.

Of course, these historic harvests equally tell that Kent’s traditionally warm micro climate is also becoming more Mediterranean and the reality of global warming is upon us.

A quick recap of recent summers bears out scientific data showing the world is one degree warmer now than at it was at the beginning of the century – a warming which continues to increase by about a quarter of a degree centigrade per decade.

In fact, by 2080 Kent could be as hot as the vine-growing slopes of Bordeaux.

Unfortunately, this change is a result of damage done to the environment and the world and business are going to have change with it.

So, while in some ways it is exciting and pleasing to read that food technologists believe their commercial apricot crop could be the start of a new fruit industry in the county, it is also a worrying reflection of uncharted changes ahead.

I tend to agree with a stance put forward by SEEDA (South East England Development Agency) that industry must work to slow the damage being inflicted on the environment while keeping in mind the realities of what is already happening.

Companies must now factor in climate change as a business risk that will change patterns of demand, supply costs, insurance etc and plan ahead for these events.

Equally amid the harsh reality of climate change there will be positive opportunities to embrace with new market areas and services to fulfil.

Unfortunately the serious realities of global warming highlight more than ever that business and global survial in the 21st century will depend on the ability to innovate.