The convention on "New varietal proposals for apples and pears" organised by Fondazione Fojanini di Studi Superiori di Sondrio, the University of Bologna, the Sondrio province, the Società di Ortofloricoltura Italiana and Crea – Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura, focused on how the apple industry is changing in Europe.
"12 million tons of apples are produced in Europe - 10 remain here and the rest are exported," explains Walter Guerra from the Laimburg centre.
According to the WAPA, FAO and Eurostat data concerning the 2014 season, Poland is the leading producer with 3.75 million tons followed by Italy (2.5 million) and France (1.44 million). The only other European country producing over a million tons is Germany (1.1 million).
The 2014 apple production (in tons) in the different European countries. Click here to enlarge (FreshPlaza processing of Wapa, Faostat and Eurostat data).
As regards cultivated areas, Poland remains the leading country with 160 thousand hectares, followed by Romania (60 thousand hectares) and Italy (55 thousand hectares).
Walter Guerra, from Laimburg, during the convention in Sondrio.
In terms of varieties, Golden Delicious is the most popular, covering 21% of the total production - "volumes have been stable over the past 10 years despite a drop in cultivated areas." It is followed by Gala (11%), which has been growing steadily since 2006, and Jonagold (10%).
European 2014 apple production per variety. Click here to enlarge (FreshPlaza processing of Prognosfruit data).
This is the situation at a European level, but things can vary a lot in each country.
The apple production in Poland has been growing since 2000 (not considering the 2007 drop). "50% of the produce is destined to the processing industry and the varieties are quite 'old' - 20% of the volumes are of the Idared variety, followed by Jonagold (14%), Sampion (11%) and other minor varieties (28%). Producers are now starting to plant Gala and Red Delicious."
Guerra's speech.
In France, cultivated areas dropped by 24% in 10 years but production remained stable. "They are growing a lot in the organic sector as this type of apple is quite popular there and they are also planting the Gala variety."
Guerra's speech.
In France, cultivated areas dropped by 24% in 10 years but production remained stable. "They are growing a lot in the organic sector as this type of apple is quite popular there and they are also planting the Gala variety."
In Germany, there are around 30 thousand tons of apples. The production of Jonagold and Jonagored is expected to decrease, while Red Jonaprince will grow, as German consumers like red apples. "The cooperative system is not as developed as in Italy, as they prefer direct sales. There are a few difficulties growing club apples, though a third of the Kanzi® variety is cultivated here."
Spain is the sixth apple producer in Europe (505 thousand tons), and "has been replacing apples with peaches. New Gala clones, Pink Lady® and Inored Story® are the most popular varieties."
Part of the audience in Sondrio.
In the Netherlands, apple orchards are leaving their place to pear trees. The number of producers dropped from 3 to 2 thousand since 2000. In addition, 15% of apple hectares are destined to innovative varieties, as the Dutch strongly believe in varietal innovation." The Gala variety cannot be cultivated in the areas due to illnesses, but there are 565 hectares of Kanzi®, 460 of Jumani®, 170 of Rubens®, 140 of Lola®, 100 of Wellant®.
Switzerland has "almost abandoned Golden Delicious apples. The market is very closed and producers specialise in the single varieties. Almost all club varieties are cultivated." Lithuania is similar to the rest of Eastern Europe (Romania, Hungary, Latvia, etc.), i.e. "too much produce is being cultivated, mainly local varieties such as Auksis, Ligol, Delikates, etc.