How big are apple stocks in Europe? Which variety is dominant? Why was it worth visiting Berlin in early February? We present a review of industry news straight from the Old Continent!

Smaller stocks of apples in Europe

According to the latest data published by The World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA), at the beginning of 2023, there were about 4.052 million tons of apples in the storage chambers of the European Union, Great Britain and Switzerland, which is about 6% less than in the same period last year, according to the portal polskisadownictwo.pl. The largest stocks of apples are held by fruit growers from Poland (1.259 million tons, i.e. 8.9% less than last year), second place is occupied by the Italians (1.160 million tons; 3.2% less than last year), third place belongs to the French with stocks of 560,000 tons (6.7% less than last year).

Which apples is there most of?

The latest WAPA report on apple stocks shows that at the beginning of this year, Golden Delicious apples dominated in European storage chambers. Their stock is estimated at 845,000 tons (20.1% less than in the same period of 2022). Subsequent places are taken by the following varieties: Gala (with 430,000 tons, i.e. 15.5% less than last year), Red Jonaprince (306,000 tons, 23.1% more than last year), Idared (223,000 tons; 19.2% less than last year), Cripps Pink known under the Pink Lady® brand (217,000 tons; 28.8% more than last year) and Red Delicious (210,000 tons, i.e. 13.4% more than last year).

Polish apples in Indonesia?

According to the portal sadownictwo.com.pl, Poles can start exporting apples to the Indonesian market. Entities that expressed initial interest in such trade at the stage of establishing export requirements have just been given the opportunity to commence it. Polish authorities hope that opening the Indonesian market for Polish apples will have a positive impact on balancing bilateral trade. According to the latest data for the period from January to November 2022, Poland recorded a deficit in trade in agri-food products with Indonesia of nearly EUR 19 million.

EUR 2,500 for giving up glyphosate

France has received approval from the European Commission to financially support farmers who will give up the use of herbicides containing glyphosate. The plan provides for a subsidy of EUR 2,500 for each entity that will resign from using products containing this substance by the end of 2023. Its total value is EUR 200 million, according to the portal sadowniczeabc.pl. This program is part of a broad strategy to eliminate plant protection products from transalpine fields. At the same time, it is worth recalling that there is an ongoing discussion in the European Union regarding the limitation or even a complete ban on the use of glyphosate in agriculture. The European Commission temporarily extended its approval for its use until mid-December this year.

Inspirations from Berlin

This year’s edition of Fruit Logistica (Berlin, February 8-10) has come to an end. Every year, this event attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the capital of Germany, including exporters and distributors of fresh products from around the world, as reminded by the portal sad24.pl. Fruit Logistica is an ideal opportunity to establish new business contacts, as well as maintain existing relationships. As the authors of the report note, this year’s stands delighted with their diversity and original ideas. In the opinion of the visitors, every person responsible for professional fruit trade should take part in this type of event at least once - even if not to start selling right away, at least to see how others do it. Analysing the assortment of European apples, distributors from South Tyrol dominated in terms of the number of brands or club varieties offered. In the case of this market segment, marketing strategies are becoming more and more expressive - there are new ideas for packaging, their design and colours. Poland is also starting to follow this trend. In Berlin this largest producer of apples in Europe, in addition to standard varieties, presented an offer of apples of the club variety Pola and one of the new Polish brands - Jupiter. The Dutch were also very active at the fair. Known for their commercial abilities, they were the most effective in soliciting future contractors.