Apples: Decrease in total volume but increase for organic production and for new varieties

The 2022/23 apple season started with the picking of the 1st Royal Gala apples in mid-August, according to the VOG Consortium's forecast total volumes will be slightly lower at 450,000 tonnes, a decrease of 3.5% compared to in the previous campaign. For the Royal Gala variety, the drop will be greater (-15%).

 

At the same time, organic production is estimated to have risen sharply (+15%) to more than 35,000 tonnes, thanks to the new orchards planted in recent years.

 

Strong increases also expected for new brands and contract varieties, such as Pink Lady® (+15%), Kanzi® (+11%), envy™ (+35%), yello® (+32%), Joya® (+74%), Crimson Snow® (+40%) and SweeTango® (+32%). The growth of the latest new apples launched by VOG also continues: the production of Giga® will double to more than 4,000 tons, RedPop® will increase to almost 3,000 tons (+40%) and Cosmic Crisp® will increase to 3,500 tons.

 

The current context, marked by rising energy and raw material costs, is not encouraging a recovery in consumption and could weigh on demand. "We are anticipating a hesitant start to the campaign. Thanks to our varietal projects, we have a rich assortment of apples and we can thus guarantee our customers quality fruit for 12 months", underlined Klaus Hölzl, Sales Director of VOG .

 

Founded in 1945, the VOG Consortium brings together 12 cooperatives with 4,600 member family farms. The Consortium produces approximately 500,000 tonnes of high quality apples each year, destined for 75 markets around the world.

Its assortment includes more than 30 varieties, led by Marlene®, Südtiroler Apfel g.g.A., Pink Lady®, Kanzi®, envy™, yello®, Jazz™, Joya®, SweeTango®, RedPop®, Giga®, Cosmic Crisp® and Crimson Snow® brands.