Quality and tradition – why are European apples an excellent choice?

European, and especially Polish, apples are valued worldwide for their high quality and exceptional taste. The tradition of apple cultivation in Europe dates back hundreds of years. Apple trees were cultivated in ancient times, including by the Romans, who spread fruit-growing techniques in present-day Italy, France and England. In Poland, apple cultivation was started in the 12th century by the Cistercians in their monastery gardens. Different varieties were already selected then, which led to the creation of many local strains. Currently, Europe offers a wide range of apple varieties, such as ‘Jonagold’, ‘Gala’, ‘Szampion’, ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Red Delicious’. Consumers can choose apples with different tastes and culinary applications.

Tradition and experience in apple cultivation in Europe

European countries such as Poland, France, Germany, Great Britain and Italy have centuries-old fruit-growing traditions. In Poland, apple cultivation dates back to at least the 12th century. Apple trees were valued in monastery and manor gardens. For centuries, knowledge and cultivation techniques have been passed down from generation to generation. The tradition of apple cultivation in Europe promotes the emergence of new varieties that are adapted to climatic conditions. European fruit growers combine traditional approaches with modern techniques, using integrated methods of pest and disease protection, precise irrigation, disease monitoring, and they use drones. European culture and experience in apple cultivation constitute the foundation on which modern fruit growing is based, combining a rich history with state-of-the-art solutions. Thanks to this, apples produced in Europe are of high quality and diversity, meeting the needs of modern consumers.

European production standards

European fruit production standards are crucial to ensuring food safety and high-quality products for consumers. Thanks to them, fruit produced in Europe is characterized by juiciness, freshness and availability of numerous varieties, which makes it popular not only in European countries but also on global markets.

One such standard is GlobalGAP (Good Agricultural Practice). It is an international standard for agricultural and production practices. It covers the entire fruit production process, from cultivation, through harvesting to storage. It requires compliance with strict rules on the use of pesticides, fertilizers and water management to minimize the risk of contamination and ensure consumer safety. Fruit produced in Europe must be regularly tested to ensure that it does not exceed permitted levels of residues of plant protection products, in order to protect consumers. In Europe, the organic production system and labelling of organic products are becoming increasingly popular. Organic certificates are issued, and fruits must meet strict standards for cultivation without the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Organic certificates assure consumers of the high quality and safety of products that meet additional environmental criteria. In addition, in the European Union, orchards are run in the Integrated Plant Production system. This means that fruit is produced with minimal use of plant protection products, and biological protection is a priority.

In Europe, quality controls and audits of fruit producers are regularly carried out to ensure compliance with applicable standards and regulations. European fruit production standards ensure high quality and safety of products while minimizing negative impact on the environment. These standards constitute an important element of the EU’s common agricultural policy which focuses on sustainable development of agriculture.