On the occasion of the approaching "Apple Day" on November 11, Josef Moosbrugger, President of the Austrian Chamber of Agriculture, emphasizes that although Austrian fruit growers are making an indispensable contribution to security of supply, they have to contend with serious challenges. "Exploding production and storage costs, a tense market situation and completely unrealistic EU plans pose a massive threat to apple cultivation in Austria. Together we must ensure that the most popular domestic fruit can continue to be available, as quality goods and in sufficient volumes," Moosbrugger, who is committed to improvements at all levels, stated in a market commentary.
Over 20% of all apple orchards in Austria are managed organically
"Despite a considerable drought this summer, we are expecting a high-quality, average-volume apple harvest this year. In Austria's main growing region alone, Styria, which supplied around 73% of the harvest in 2021, a total of 148,000 tons is forecast for 2022. Austria's apple growers will thus once again supply the domestic population with fresh vitamins and nutrients this year despite adverse conditions," Moosbrugger reports. He continues: "Over 20% of all apple orchards in Austria are farmed organically. No less than 10% of all European organic apples are grown in our Alpine republic."
Josef Moosbrugger with local apples" © LK Vorarlberg
Reliable partnerships and reasonable producer prices necessary
"Simply because of the climatic conditions and highest production standards, Austria's apples are among the world's best. However, the degree of self-sufficiency of 91% in the past ten years cannot be taken for granted. It is massively endangered by the exploding costs of energy, fuel and other operating resources," says the LKÖ president. "In addition to various support measures, it is crucial that our apple growers also get their enormous additional costs covered on the market. A few cents more, which are hardly noticeable in the usual household budget, would mean a big difference for our farms." Moosbrugger appeals to the trade to ensure reliable partnerships and reasonable producer prices.
Unrealistic EU requirements massively endanger cultivation
"Even at the European level proposed, unrealistic requirements would massively endanger our apple cultivation in large parts. Those who want to harvest pest-free, top quality goods - whether organically or conventionally - must protect the vitamin-rich fruits. In addition to site-appropriate varieties, hail nets and many other measures, this also includes pesticides. Only the most stringently tested substances may be applied, by professionally trained personnel, according to the motto 'as little as possible, as much as necessary'," the LKÖ president reports.
Trust not misguided ideologies, but science
"However, the plans within the framework of the Green Deal or the regulation on the 'sustainable' use of plant protection products (sustainable use regulation - SUR) are going in a completely wrong direction, massively endangering fruit cultivation or even making it impossible in the most important cultivation areas. It would be the same as demanding craftsmen to deliver perfect work, whilst taking away crucial tools to do so. Food has never been as safe as it is today, and our modern crop protection means are contributing to this," Moosbrugger points out.
"We should not rely on misguided ideologies, but on science and research. It is important to jointly secure our valuable self-sufficiency by our apple growers and to prevent further, climate-damaging imports," says the LKÖ president, calling on the EU institutions to rethink the matter. Among other things, the Green Deal provides for a 50% reduction in the quantities of pesticides used, and the SUR would completely ban the use of pesticides in central growing areas.
Greater harmonization of wages and social standards at EU level
As Austria's apple growers are also at a massive competitive disadvantage compared to their European competitors due to the high wage and non-wage costs for harvesting personnel. Moosbrugger emphasizes the need for greater harmonization of wages and social standards at EU level. Furthermore, he considers better origin labeling of apples in as many areas as possible to be crucial. In total, there are about 1,900 apple farms in Austria, cultivating about 7,700 hectares.
Source: LKÖ