"Belgium: "Organic fruit farming gains in importance"

According to the Belgian fruit producer Guillaume Mahieu, organic farming is starting to become more important in the Belgian market. "There is a lot of expectation among supermarkets and consumers, so we notice that more and more producers are getting started." 

Guillaume grows apples and pears. For apples, large-scale organic farming is already possible. "The problem, however, lies with pears, because there are no really adapted varieties for the moment. We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of scab-resistant varieties."

Among others, Guillaume cultivates the organic apple variety Red Flame, a dark red Elstar mutant. Currently it’s solely intended for the Belgian market. "She colours very easily, and evenly. It almost blackens like a cherry, which is a problem for traditional trade. But if you grow them under hail nets, the colour is better, and a little lighter."

"The pulp of the Red Flame is veined with red. Conservation is possible until January in ULO, but we must be very careful with organics, because they’re sensitive to Gloosporiosis; a problem for which we are looking for solutions. It has a good sugar-acid balance, and pleases our customers, as well as their children."

"We chose to grow this variety because we needed an Elstar mutant for our direct selling store. Its name and colour are original, and the apple contains a lot of antioxidants and polyphenols. These are all good selling points. People who come to us to buy apples, look for different things than what we find on supermarket shelves."

"The variety is not sensitive to russeting, and is not quickly affected by aphids or oidium. It is a good variety, but I will not advise to plant it in large quantities, because it is not resistant to scab. It also requires a lot of reseeding to get to a good size. There are other varieties more suitable for organic farming these days, which are easier to grow and conserve. For the future, we’ll only turn to these varieties.“

For more information:

3, Bois de la Haye

7534 Barry (Tournai)

Belgium