It was recently announced that Pink Lady is winning ground at the expense of Jonagold. This is according to research by the Department of Agriculture and Fishing. All in all, Jonagold is still a market leader, but Pink Lady and other club varieties such as Jazz and Kanzi, are gradually taking up a larger share. What is the cause of the decreasing popularity of the Jonagold apples?
Too many varieties
According to trader Philippe Vandendriessche from Heule, Belgium, this is mainly a consequence of the quality of Jonagold. “There definitely still are good-quality Jonagold apples, but there are also plenty of lesser-quality ones. Besides, there are many mutants. Cultivators should choose one good type, and market it together. I personally sometimes have ten varieties of Jonagold in my assortment, in varying quality classes. I would not offer them anymore, but that customers still ask for them,” he states.
Wooden packaging
Besides the lesser quality, which has been decreasing for years already according to Vandendriessche, the trader is also not positive about the packaging. “All of the Belgian auctions are still using wooden packaging. These are not beautiful, and do not last more than a few uses either. It would be much better to design a beautiful box, and to display the apples in that. The success of the club varieties cannot just be attributed to their great quality, but also to their beautiful packaging.”
Change in attitude
Vandendriessche continues: “I would like to advise auctions and producers to have a change in attitude as regards Jonagold. Even a good Elstar is a threat to Jonagold. If this keeps up, the future will not look good for this variety. Whenever I get a complaint about one of my products, it almost always concerns Jonagold. If nothing changes, Jonagold will be overtaken by the club varieties.” For more information:
Philippe Vandendriessche
Vandendriessche
Vier Linden 1 H
8501 Heule, Belgium
T: +32 (0)56 257304
M: +32 (0)476 543722
F: +32 (0)56 257804
