Switzerland: organic apples almost sold out

The reserve of Swiss organic apples is almost gone. At the end of May 2015 the reserve was 193 metric tons.

"Organic apples will be sold out by mid-June," explains Lukas Inderfurth, spokesman of Bio Suisse to the Agricultural Information site LID. From this point on a low quota of apples is imported- until the beginning of the new harvest. Apples with the Swiss organic label exclusively come from neighbouring countries, according to Inderfurth. Bio Suisse products can’t import fresh products from overseas.

That the Swiss organic apples are sold out several months before the new harvest comes as no surprise. "About every other year there are not enough Swiss organic apples," said Inderfurth. Harvest fluctuations are normal. The weather and the so-called alternation play a role: In one year, the trees provide large yield, but the following year the yield is smaller. Bio Suisse discourages an expansion of acreage, because in years with large crops not all organic apples can be marketed as first class apples, which results in financial losses.

At the end of May 14,494 metric tons conventionally grown apples were stored, 170 metric tons less than last year. The largest share of the stock is of the Golden Delicious variety (5,800 t), followed by Gala (2,300 t). Swisscofel and the Swiss Fruit Union believe that the varieties Braeburn, Gala, as well as Premium varieties will be practically sold out by the end of June.

Source: www.lid.ch