"We will start picking the Zonneglans at the end of the week"

At Fruitbedrijf Jongerius in Houten, the hard fruit harvest is in full swing. "We are now picking Elstar and have a good crop. With Conference pears, we have an average harvest this year, although the yields are much higher than last year, when we had very few pears," says Norbert Jongerius.

Together with his brother Pierre, he has been marketing the yellow apple 'Zonneglans' of German origin for several years. "We now have 2.5 hectares of this variety, and the harvest looks fantastic. Last year, some fruit became coarse, but this year we have beautiful, smooth, and especially sunshine-yellow apples. At the end of the week, we will start picking the Zonneglans, and next week we will invite some customers to see the harvest with their own eyes."

A new development is that Jongerius has joined the growers' association New Green, which will plant this yellow apple in Belgium. "They approached us because they were interested in this apple. And until they have commercial production of their own, they will source apples from us," Norbert says. He sees strong potential for marketing the variety. "The trees are very productive from the first year, which is why we chose a different rootstock together with Botden and Van Willigen. This allows the tree to balance both vigour and production more effectively."

"What makes the Zonneglans apple extra special is that it does not discolour after cutting, making it ideal for use in salads. The taste is refreshingly sweet with a hint of citrus aroma. Moreover, this apple is also suitable for people with apple allergies. And we have really been surprised by how many people suffer from this, even in our own region. People come from far and wide to buy it! And the apples that do not meet Class I standards, we have pressed into juice by Schulp, bottled under our own label."

In addition to Zonneglans, varieties grown at Jongerius include Conference, Rode Boskoop, Elstar, Wellant, Delbare, Gieser Wildeman, and Early Desire. "We grow a wide range of varieties, and this year the harvests align nicely," he says. "The Zonneglans apples are ready for picking a little earlier this year, and the Elstar a bit later, which creates a good spread. The first weeks were tough because of the excellent harvest of Early Desire."

As all focus is currently on picking, Jongerius is not yet busy with sales. "We are not sorting yet," Norbert explains. "But we face the marketing season with confidence. While the Netherlands is enjoying a good harvest, the rest of Europe is not experiencing a peak crop. Assuming WAPA's forecasts are accurate, reasonable prices should be achievable."

With their orchard shop 'Boer Gijs', named after its founder, the Houten-based brothers aim to bring the orchard closer to consumers. "Dutch top fruit is a very sustainable product for Dutch consumers, but we do need to raise awareness of this fact. Only then might consumers leave the imported mango for a Dutch pear that, after this peak summer, tastes almost just as sweet!"

For more information:
Pierre and Norbert Jongerius
Mts. Fruitbedrijf Jongerius
Waijensedijk 19
3992 LN Houten
+31 (0)6 1386 4131
[email protected]
www.boergijs.nl