What markets did European apples reach in the last months of 2023? What are the prospects for the consumption and sale of European apples in the coming years? Does European production meet consumers’ expectations on global markets? What makes a new traditional product stand out in the European Union? Why does US orange production affect the apple juice market in Europe? How to make apples look more appetizing after peeling?

European perspectives

According to the European Commission’s long-term forecast for 2023–2035, agricultural crops in European Union countries, including fruit crops, will become more competitive on global markets thanks to the transition to more sustainable agricultural production systems. With the support programs of the Common Agricultural Policy, the European Union will remain a net exporter of agricultural products and will continue to contribute to global food security. According to agriculture.ec.europa.eu, it is forecast that the most important European apple producers - Poland and Italy - will remain the key exporters of these fruits from the European Union. These countries also have the potential to increase exports.

Sustainable apple production in Poland

At the end of November 2023, a press conference was organized entitled: “Does Polish fruit production meet consumers’ expectations?”, regarding the information and educational campaign “Time for sustainable fruit production”, which is conducted by the Association of Fruit Growers in Poland, Germany and Austria.

During the conference, the results of market research carried out for the campaign were presented, which show that Polish fruit growers are very aware of the high value of fruit from integrated production - informs the Polish Press Agency. As many as 91% of fruit producers and 84% of traders participating in the research believe that fruit produced using integrated methods is safe, tasty and valuable.

“There is potential in Poland to switch from conventional fruit production to sustainable production. This trend is important, especially that since 2014 our fruit offer is no longer aimed at the Russian market, but at other countries, including those in Western Europe where there is a growing interest in organic products. The Green Deal strategy implemented by the European Union also requires abandoning agriculture based on the use of large amounts of artificial fertilizers and synthetic plant protection products and replacing them with natural agents. By 2030, the EU plans to reduce the amount of all chemical pesticides used by 50% and artificial fertilizers by 20%,” emphasized Mirosław Maliszewski, president of the Association of Polish Fruit Growers during the conference.

Apple juice instead of orange juice?

The reduction in orange production in the USA over the last few years means that the availability of juice made from these fruits is also decreasing and, as a result, its price is increasing (in recent weeks it has reached the highest price since 1996). The effects of these increases are felt not only in America, but also on other continents. Interestingly, it is forecast that they should lead to a global increase in demand for apple juice concentrate - informs the website sadowniczeabc.pl.

In Europe, there is already a decline in the availability of orange juice on a wholesale basis. As a result, its presence on store shelves is decreasing. The processing industry also started modifying the recipes of multi-fruit products that previously used orange juice, reducing its share in favour of apple juice.

How to prevent apples from turning dark after peeling?

Many consumers notice that after peeling and cutting, apple pieces begin to turn brown after some time. To prevent this phenomenon , you can perform a very simple trick.

According to the website odżywianie.wprost.pl, in order for the apple flesh to remain light for longer, cut pieces of fruit should be immersed in carbonated water for a while. Unlike other methods of stopping this unfavourable phenomenon, this method does not change the taste of the fruit.

Unique “Fajsławice apples”

Poland can boast of a new (and extremely valuable!) apple acquisition. Apples produced in the Polish commune of Fajsławice have been included on the List of Traditional Products of the Polish Ministry of Agriculture - informs the website sadyogrody.pl. Only products with exceptional quality features are included on this list.

“Fajsławice apples” owe their uniqueness to specific climatic conditions, which are perfect for growing fruit with intense flavour and excellent quality. The production of such delicious apples is additionally favoured by calcareous soils, which are common in this region of Poland and which are also a source of natural nutrients. However, this is not enough for apples to enjoy recognition both in Poland and abroad. The high quality of fruit produced in Fajsławice also results from the multi-generational tradition, passion and experience of local producers. Fajsławice fruit growers take care of the production of their fruit at every stage - from the selection of unique tree varieties to careful picking and packaging of apples - the website reports.