Val Venosta organic apple season ends with stable supply

The organic apple season for VIP, the Association of Fruit and Vegetable Cooperatives of Val Venosta, is coming to an end with the final batches scheduled to be shipped by mid-August from the packing centre in Castelbello.

According to Gerhard Eberhöfer, Head of Organic Varieties at VIP, last year's harvest was affected by extreme weather conditions, but supply and quality were maintained, with an increase in domestic sales also recorded.

This season, around 45,000 tonnes of organic apples from Val Venosta were marketed across Europe. Germany, the Scandinavian countries, and the United Kingdom remained the main destinations, while demand in other parts of Europe, including Italy, has also grown. Consistent availability during the summer months supported supply at a time when production from other regions is often more limited.

VIP has also continued to develop its assortment by including varieties such as SweeTango®, Ambrosia™, Kanzi®, Cosmic Crisp®, as well as Bonita and Natyra®. Newly planted orchards are gradually reaching full production, broadening the supply calendar. Eberhöfer noted that each variety has its own harvest and marketing period, helping to avoid overlaps in availability.

Looking ahead to the 2025/26 season, Val Venosta expects a similar volume to be available for the fresh market, with a slight increase in the share destined for processing. Demand for organic apples in the European Union is showing signs of recovery, with growth projected between 1% and 5%. Some retail chains are expanding their ranges by offering a wider choice of varieties at different price points. At the same time, imports from the Southern Hemisphere have decreased, reinforcing the presence of European suppliers.

Growers continue to face challenges linked to climate and plant health. Limited temperature variation has affected fruit colouring, while pests such as the woolly apple aphid remain an ongoing concern. Research projects are being carried out to address these issues.

Eberhöfer stated that while not all problems are directly caused by climate, its influence has intensified existing difficulties. Growers remain engaged in organic production and continue to supply the European market with consistent volumes.