France: Juliet apple gets warm reception

Although, like many growers throughout Europe, Cardell has had to deal with diminished supplies of apples this season, they still believe they're on course to reach 10,000 tons of production for their Juliet organic apples in the next few years. They believe that based on the expansion they've experienced and the warm reception they've encountered everywhere they've introduced the fruit.

“Since the introduction of the Juliet apple, we've been really satisfied about how it's been adopted,” said Daniel Corbel, president of Cardell Export. The Juliet is an organic apple which Cardell began selling seven years ago, and it's grown in the south of France. “It's taken off with all of our foreign customers,” added Corbel.

Initially, due to light volumes, Cardell limited the availability of Juliet apples to France. But after 2008 they were able to begin exporting the apple, and they now export all over the world.

“Since 2009, we've expanded into several markets,” said Corbel. “We ship to the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Canada, Finland, the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany and throughout Europe.” Though their harvest was down this year, they hope to rebound with new acreage and a commitment to supply the world with their organic fruit.

“We look forward to 2013 for fast development of tonnage as most of our orchards contain young trees,” said Corbel. “It gives us great hope for a bright future of the Juliet apple.”