With a share of 25% of the total European organic apple harvest South Tirol is now the most important supplier of organic apples in the European Union. About 5% of the total apple harvest in South Tirol is made up by organic apples. Over the last few years the harvest increased steadily: in the 2010 and 2011 seasons 43,000 tons of organic apples was harvested, in 2009 37,000 tons and in 2008 31,000 tons. As demand increases all the time in future still more apples will be grown according to the organic cultivation guidelines.
The characteristic geographic and climate circumstances of South Tirol are very well suited to the organic apple cultivation. The dry air and little rain are the cause of a low risk of fungus forming. At the same time the sharp fluctuation in temperature between day and night increase the natural sugar content of apples and produce a firm, juicy and aromatic pulp.
Organic apples from South Tirol are only produced according to recognized guidelines such as Bioland, Naturland and Demeter. The guidelines of these associations are in various details even more strict than the legal requirements for organic cultivation of EU regulation No: 2092/91 from 1991.