Last year's apple season was quantitatively poor due to frost damage and precipitation. Many people would like to erase it from their memory as soon as possible. Fruit producers and cooperatives in the important growing region of South Tyrol were also affected by this very weak harvest. The upcoming apple season, however, looks to be good: although there will be a short delay on the start of the season, the flowering time was as desired. And not just in the South Tyrol region, says producer and agent Michael Sparer of the fruit agency with the same name from Vilpian.
Currently, the South Tyrolean stocks are almost emptied: only the Vinschgau VIP will manage to complete this month, marketing local apples until mid-July. The rest of the stocks of Golden Delicious and Red Delicious are very limited as well. For the trade in top fruit, this is positive, however. Sparer: “Sales are currently very good, and so are the prices. The Golden Delicious is lacking most at the moment, which is why its price continues to rise, especially in this area. Of the Red Delicious we have about 30 percent less than last year, but this is primarily an export article for India and North Africa. Since the dollar exchange rate is currently quite high, this market is relatively sluggish.”
Upcoming season
While shipments from overseas are now increasingly arriving in the Western European market and last year's season is officially coming to an end, producers and traders are already looking to the upcoming harvest year. “For the Gala, the flowering time was good, but we will probably start this year's harvest 10 days later than last year, due to the weather. However, I expect a good harvest in South Tyrol; and wherever I have been the road lately -both in Poland and in Serbia, both at home and abroad- blooming has so far been satisfactory.”
New varieties are launched every year in the apple sector, but only a few of them ultimately continue in the market. According to Sparer, today mainly the extremely resistant varieties are successfully establishing themselves. “The Cosmic Crisp is a good example of an apple variety with a great potential. In our own farm of about 25 ha, we grow 95% apples and 5% table grapes. On the plantation, we always have a small trial area for new varieties. Last year, for example, we planted the Red Moon®. For consumer and processing needs, this red pulp variety is very well suited. Next year we will be able to offer the first lots, and we expect to have a yield in excess of 60 tons.”
Fruit trade
Sparer & Sparer predominantly trade in apples from South Tyrol, but also market those from different cultivation regions, both domestic and foreign. It caters to both the industry and consumers. With the well-known regional brands like Marlene, VI.P Vinschgau and Melinda there is long-standing, good and professional cooperation. In addition to this there is direct trade on the orchards in the harvest months. There is interaction with regional producers and buyers (primarily traders, cooperatives) and to there are sales to the auctions. In the winter months, the agency is supplementing its trade with onions and potatoes.
Right: Granny Smith during last year's harvest phase
For more information:
Obstagentur Sparer
GF: Michael Sparer
Nalser Straße 6, 39018 Vilpian
Bozen - Italien
Tel. +39 0471 678 725
Fax +39 0471 678 526
E-Mail: info@sparersparer.net
Web: www.sparersparer.net