Switzerland: Braeburn, Gala and Fuji varieties pay the best

Out of the 25 fruit companies that participated in a comparative study done by the Swiss research institute, Agroscope, the Braeburn, Gala and Fuji varieties came out on top. This was reported in NFO's newsletter. Milwa (Junami) and Nicoter (Kanzi) did not score as well, but would have reached better financial results had the growers achieved higher production rates. Golden Delicious and Jonagold achieved poor financial results despite good production levels. It is well known that the choice in variety plays an important role in a business's final results.

Researcher Esther Bravin investigated how big a role variety choice plays. From 2009 to 2012 orchards from 25 reference companies were followed. The plants in the study were between four and fifteen years old. During this time the following information was recorded: production (ton/ha), picking performance (kg/hour), profit or loss ($/ha) and revenues ($/ha). This was done with eight different apple varieties: Braeburn, Gala, Golden Delicious, Fuji, Jonagold, Nictor and Milwa. Although the financial results of the yields depend on many things, factors such as colour, tree shape, pruning and harvest method play an important role. However, in this study these factors were not included in the assessment.

Production per acre and picking performance were highest with the Golden Delicious and Braeburn varieties. However, the difference with Jonagold, Gala and Fuji was small (and not reliable). All the above mentioned varieties produced between 30 and 35 tons per acre and were being plucked at a rate of 110 to 138 kg per hour. The Nicoter and Milwa varieties had significantly lower production rates, around 20 tons per acre, and they were being plucked at a rate of 120 to 130 kg per hour. Two groups can be made when it comes to profitability. Gala, Braeburn and Fuji are in the first group, each having achieved a reasonable profit. The Jonagold, Golden Delicious, Nicoter and Milwa varieties make up the second group having either barely made a profit or had a loss. In the second group, the Nicoter and Jonagold varieties made a small profit, and the Golden Delicious and Milwa varieties had a loss. Moreover, the differences within each group was not significant. There seems to be a clear relationship between productivity and profitability, with Golden Delicious being the exception to the rule. Golden Delicious has good productivity but negative profitability. Milwa and Nicoter growers indicated that if production were to rise, profitability of these varieties would also rise. The growers in the network saw the best results in the Braeburn, Gala and Fuji varieties.

Source: Nieuwsbrief NFO