Werth Quote: Three countries should be observed carefully as far as fruit cultivation goes, though for different reasons: China, Japan and Turkey.

The following six articles were presented at INTERPOMA, the First European Trade Fair and Conference on Apples, in Bolzano, Italy, June 4-7, 1998. The articles are reprinted from Obstbau Weinbau 35(5), June 1998.

Walther Waldner

South Tyrolean Advisory Service for Fruits and Wine Growing, South Tyrol, Italy

The Italian apple growing area in 1995 was 72,693 ha (179,550 acres). The acreage diminished by about 10% since the 1980s because many orchards were abandoned in the Po Valley. While there were still 33,000 ha apple orchards in the Po Valley regions of Emilia Romagna and Veneto in 1984, the acreage there fell to 20,000 ha in 1995. A slight increase is expected only in the Alpine regions.

Nationwide the apple growing area will continue to decrease in Italy. After all, for the current EC orchard abandonment program Italy has entered 3,650 ha. The center of the Italian apple production is situated in the northern regions, where apples are cultivated in the alpine valleys and in the southern foothills of the Alps. The big apple production areas are the South Tyrol with 18,000 ha, Trentino with 12,300 ha, Piemonte with 6,080 ha and Friuli-Venezia Giulia with 1,250 ha. In the region Lombardia apple orchards can be found in the Valtelina (Province of Sondrio). In central and southern Italy the apple production is situated in the foothills of the Apennines.

The Italian apple production averages approximately 2,000,000 t per year. Thus Italy, like France, accounts for a quarter of the annual EC production. At present Italy ranks seventh among the apple producing countries in the world. The Italian production of 30 t/ha corresponds to the European average. While the South Tyrol produced 42 t/ha on an average in the 1990s, the yields/ha are little more than 20 t in the region of Campania.

Golden Delicious has remained the leading variety with 45% of total production. This variety is expected to keep its dominating position in the near future, although it is slightly decreasing. Red Delicious (16%) will keep the second position. A trend toward spur types can be noticed. Rome Beauty will soon make up less than 10% of the total production. The remaining varieties do not exceed 10% each. It is easy to predict that Gala will soon hold the third position.

The elevation of the orchards and the climatic conditions differ widely in the South Tyrol. Two-thirds of the apple growing area is situated on the floor of the Etsch Valley, one-third is on the hillside. Orchards can be found at over 1,000 m (3,300 feet) above sea level (in the Vinschgau). The temperatures in the whole apple growing area seldom fall below -10šC (14šF). In the summer temperatures sometimes exceed 35šC (95šF). In Schlanders (715 m above sea level) the annual average temperature is 9.8šC, in Bozen (250 m above sea level) it is 12.1šC. The average rainfall per year is 600 mm (24 inches) in the Vinschgau and 800 mm (31.5 inches) in the Etsch Valley. Today most of the orchards are supplied with overtree sprinklers for spring frost protection and irrigation. The soils are for the most part quite light textured, permeable, sandy loam soils with a pH of 5.5 to 7 and with a fairly balanced nutrient content. These rather light-textured soils and the micro-climatic differences offer ideal natural conditions for the cultivation of a wide range of varieties.

In the South Tyrol, Golden Delicious is expected to decrease a little. It would certainly be an advantage for the whole South Tyrolean fruit industry if this variety were substituted by more suitable ones in low elevations. The share of Red Delicious will remain stable. With this variety a unification of the various strains and a trend toward spur types with brighter colors and improved shapes are discernible.

Rome Beauty will lose ground due to the increasing age of the orchards and the relatively low gross income per ha.

Granny Smith is characterized by high productivity and elevated percentage of first rate fruits. This variety has been appreciated by the growers since the 1970s for its high yields/ha and it will keep its share in the South Tyrolean production. With Jonagold the light red, striped strains are prevalent. Recently Jonagored has been considered for new plantings. This variety has a certain importance for our higher elevations. It is to be hoped that the European "Jonagold Recession" will not persist, otherwise the profit margin of this variety will decrease in comparison with Golden Delicious.

In the next years Gala will gain the third or even the second position in our production. Also Braeburn will increase considerably. Fuji has remained stable, certainly as a result of its alternate bearing habit and the wide range of clones available, which makes the choice difficult for the growers.

It remains to be seen whether Fuji and Pink Lady will increase in the following years.

Up to 1970, our orchards were dominated by large, round-shaped, multi-leader trees on seedling rootstock (300 to 400 trees/ha). Today we prefer the slender spindle on M.9. The preferred planting system is the single row with a tree spacing of 3.2 to 3 m x 1.1 to 0.8 m (10.5 to 9.8 feet x 3.6 to 2.6 feet). This corresponds to an average tree density of 3,000 trees/ha (1200 trees/acre). Depending on the location, there are also several other planting systems such as terraces and special bed systems.

The fruit area has expanded by approximately 1,000 ha in the last decade. This happened mostly at the expense of pastures in the Vinschgau, in the Eisack Valley and on the Ritten, but there were also some vineyards converted to orchards.

As the acreage available for fruit growing is limited, the attempts to increase the already quite high yields/ha will be continued.

The assumption that the South Tyrol will produce 1,000,000 t apples very soon, which would account for half the Italian production, is realistic. This continues a trend of increased production during the 1990s (Figure 1).

Eberhard Makòsz, University Lublin, Poland

The central and eastern European region includes 19 countries between 44 and 70 degrees north latitude (Table 1). The total area equals 83% of the area of Europe with 344.5 million inhabitants (47% of Europe's population). Approximately 28% of this population lives in the country.

There are very great differences between the countries in size, climate, and soil, as well as in the mentality and income of the inhabitants. The agriculturally cultivated area is 347 million hectares, or 18% of the total area. The percentage of cultivated area is over 65% in the Ukraine and Hungary and in Russia only 0.01%.

The total area of fruit production (excluding vineyards) is about 3.5 million hectares, or 1% of the cultivated area. In Moldavia the percentage is about 6% and in Russia only 0.4%. The orchards in Russia and the Ukraine equal 48% of the total fruit area of all 19 countries. I estimate the area of the apple orchards at about 2 million hectares (4.9 million acres).

The average apple production in 1996/1997 was about 8.6 million tons, that is, under 50% of the total European production. In Russia, Poland and the Ukraine 5.7 million tons of apples were produced. On the average, that is 25 kg (55 lbs.) of apple production per capita, in Moldavia 81 kg, and in Albania 4 kg. In 10 countries, less than 30 kg per capita were produced. Russia is and will remain the largest importer of apples, followed by Yugoslavia, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Latvia, Albania, Croatia, and Estonia. The exporters are Poland, Slovenia, Hungary, and Moldavia. The Ukraine, White Russia, Lithuania and Macedonia can satisfy their own demand.

The most modern area of apple production is in Slovenia. Under very good climatic conditions, mean temperature of 9šC (48šF) and 1,100 mm (43 inches) precipitation, they produce average crops of over 40 tons per hectare. In Russia, on the other hand, they produce 3 to 5 tons per hectare, in Hungary 20 to 25 tons per hectare and in many other countries less than 10 tons per hectare. The main reasons for poor production are extensive plantings and insufficient care of the trees. The capital needed to buy the inputs of production is lacking. The assortment of varieties is outdated. Except for Slovenia, Hungary and Poland, local and older varieties predominate which no longer find a niche on the normal market. The quality is very low. Another problem is the lack of storage facilities. In many countries, only 20 to 30% of the fruit can be stored, mostly in natural storage. Cold storage is a rarity. Only Slovenia, Poland and Hungary have CA or ULO storage.

In countries with extensive cultivation, apple production is very profitable. The production price per kg is approximately 100 to 150% higher than the production costs.

In Hungary and Poland, the difference between costs and price is small. In Hungary, for a crop of 20 to 25 tons per hectare, the production costs are about 25 forint/kg and the production price is 30 to 40 forint/kg. In Poland the production costs amount to 0.5 to 0.6 zloty/kg and the production price is 0.7 to 0.9 zloty/kg.

In all 19 countries there is considerable discussion of new developments in apple production. New development programs have been initiated to encourage increases in marketable apple production. In the Czech Republic, Hungary and the Ukraine there is corresponding government help.

In Slovenia, Poland and Hungary there are new orchards similar to those in western Europe with 2000 to 4000 trees per hectare (809 to 1619 trees/acre), M.9 and marketable varieties. In countries with a harsher climate, the new orchards are planted with about 1000 trees per hectare (405 trees/acre) on medium-vigor rootstocks and frost-resistant varieties such as Spartan. In addition, there are new local varieties.

The modernization is in full gear in Slovenia, and it is progressing relatively fast in Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. In the other countries this process is just starting due to lack of money and necessary specialized knowledge. It could take another 10 years. Another problem is lack of good quality nursery stock.

Table 1. Acreage and production in 19 eastern European countries.

European Trends in the Development of Apple Varieties

Jozef de Coster, Sint Truiden, Belgium

Europe, with Cox's Orange as a basic parent variety, was at one time a very important area for new varieties. In spite of its highly praised quality and taste, this variety is declining rapidly in all of Europe. The reasons are low productivity, small fruit, susceptibility to bitter pit, and short shelf-life.

Golden Delicious, introduced in 1951, is and remains the number one variety. Meanwhile many mutants and clones have found their suitable areas of cultivation. So far, Clone B and Clone Reinders have been the two most important ones. Smoothee, with low susceptibility to russet, is being replaced by the even more smooth-skinned Reinders.

Red Delicious with its many mutants remains a very controversial variety. Its susceptibility to frost, alternation, and physiological storage diseases has sent us looking for mutants every 5 years. And so far, we still have no clear answer. Granny Smith remains very valuable and has become somewhat more in demand.

Jonagold has been the primary variety in Belgium, Germany and Holland and is fighting for second place on Europe's list of varieties. The earlier coloring and more strongly colored mutants such as Novajo, Decosta and Jonagored are in the forefront. Well-colored standard Elstar types such as Red Elstar are in the lead.

Gala, a relatively unstable variety, mutates back very quickly. Budwood selection of parent tree material is an absolute must. Type Brookfield has been in the lead in New Zealand as a darker type since 1994 and is increasing in demand in the USA and Europe.

Braeburn, the leader in its native country New Zealand, is the favorite variety in England as well as in Germany. Also in Europe, Braeburn has completed the first commercial cultivation and experimental phase with positive results. For the most part, these are virus-free standard types.

No appropriate area of cultivation has yet been found for Fuji in Europe. When relatively great amounts of fruit "spot" were found in Fuji last year, there was a certain amount of apprehension. In general it can be said that the "Fuji Rage" has not yet won through. Red Fuji, Nagafu 2, 6 and 12 and Akifu 1 are the most desired mutants, although the right color for Europe has not yet been found.

In the latest development of varieties and trademarks Pink Lady is highly quoted. France, with 1 million trees by the year 2000, will be the number one producer.

Whether Delblush, a variety with very firm fruit flesh and a high sugar and acid content but with a weak appearance, has a good chance of success is an open question. A large marketer has put this variety under its contract and will try its luck on the market.

Pinova, with strong internal and external aspects of quality, has fruit size as a negative feature and will remain without chances of success.

Topaz is the only disease-resistant variety which has received a positive review, and this only in Switzerland. GoldRush and the whole series of "Pi" and "Re" disease-resistant varieties are still in the experimental and test phase. In further introductory phases are Honeycrisp (USA), Pacific Rose (New Zealand), Pink Kiss (Pink Rose, Australia), Sundowner (Australia) and Ambrosia (Canada). The experimental varieties DA85, DA73, VNI185 from the Dutch breeding program are crosses of Gala and Elstar with interesting features such as firm fruit flesh and high acid/sugar ratios. The first assessments are positive.

Trends in the European Apple Production

Nico Nicetto, Verona, Italy

Because of the importance of Golden Delicious in the province of Bolzano (South Tyrol), it must be said that Golden Delicious has continuously been losing ground in Europe, resulting in a persistent and uninterrupted decrease in production from 1992 onward. In 6 years production has dropped by 11 to 12%, particularly as a result of the French production policy, which has changed directions after having concentrated heavily on Goldens until a few years ago.

Even more recognizable is the decrease in Red Delicious plantings. Granny Smith has remained absolutely constant, while Rome Beauty appears to have found its market and therefore its equilibrium just in the last 5 years. Cox's Orange, on the other hand, is declining, having had significant production in 1992. Since then, however, the decrease has been constant. Elstar has also tended toward reduction in plantings, especially in Holland, where the decrease is more evident than in other countries of the EU.

Contrarily, there has been great development, not only in Europe, of new varieties: Fuji and, above all, Gala. This last variety, which allows an aggressive market policy from the moment of harvest, is increasing in an exponential way. In 8 years, its production has expanded–and this only in the EU–a spectacular 1,197% compared to good, but relatively constrained, increases in Elstar during the same period.

The EU production in general has been and will in any case remain a surplus one in the sense that it will always exceed demand.

The orchard removal done in Europe in the last 3 years has not resolved the problem, in spite of the 25,000 hectares (61,775 acres) taken out and further 10,000 (24,700 acres) to be removed. These have taken place predominantly in France. As a matter of fact, that country has recently accounted for 30% of the European orchard removal done as a result of the supportive measures from the EU.

It must be said that in the other countries, taken separately, there has not been such a strong adhesion to the directions from Brussels (EU). This is in part due to the fact that producers from some countries, for example Italy, had previously removed orchards voluntarily, whether abandoning them completely or changing varieties. In 1995 the percentage of new plantings, those less than 5 years old, in comparison to total apples in Europe was 24.5% and is thus a moderate indication of reconversion.

The variety that has been removed the most is certainly Golden Delicious, but also plantings of Cox's Orange and–especially in Spain–Stark Delicious have suffered obvious decrease.

Seen from a commercial standpoint, the percentage of unsold apples in storage as of December 1 shows the following trend: from 33.2% in 1989 to 45.9% in 1996 and then to an incredible 49.5% in 1997. The percentage for this year will sink, at least by a few points, but not more.

Where this surplus comes from, other than from the imports which in any case amount to more than 2.5 million tons, is easily seen in numbers: in 8 years, Austria increased its production by 86%, but also Portugal, Spain, and Belgium have done their part, with increases from 34 to 27%. Countries which were until yesterday only marginal on the EU now have much greater production.

In the face of this imbalance between supply and demand it is not easy to look forward with optimism.

Apple Growing in Asia

Kurt Werth, Neumarkt, Italy

According to FAO, 28,185,000 tons of apples were produced in Asia in 1997 (Table 1). This means that every second apple in the world was harvested in one of the Asian countries. That is remarkable and somewhat surprising, since our attention is usually directed at markets in Europe, America, or the southern hemisphere. Asian fruit production is hard to compare to the industrial production of the big apple-producing countries and, with the exception of a few countries, has hardly aroused any interest. But, in the last few years, considerable change has occurred in the Asian orchard sector.

For example, the Fuji variety from Japan has gained foothold worldwide. Today Turkey, with over 2 million tons, produces more than, for example, Italy and is in the starting blocks for admittance into the EU. Finally, China has increased its apple production in only 10 years from 4,300,000 tons to 18,000,000 tons and is projected to double this quantity by the year 2003. This will be equivalent at that time of approximately four times the total European production and eight times North American production. Chinese Fuji of best quality are already forcing their way onto the East Asian market and will presumably disrupt well-worn sales channels worldwide.

As far as quantity is concerned, of the remaining Asian countries Iran with 1,925,000 tons and India with 1,200,000 tons of apple production are worth mentioning. These, however, cannot be expected to produce any great headlines in the apple sector in the near future, but the quantity is, in any case, worth mentioning.

All of the other countries in the Middle East from the Caucasus and central Asia to the Far East are recorded in the official statistics from year to year, but their extensive methods of cultivation will hardly play a considerable role in the future. Their production will scarcely reach beyond the internal markets, particularly as the corresponding quality will not come up to the expectations of the export market.

In addition, there is some legitimate doubt as to the validity of the figures quoted (Table 1). It remains, however, that in many regions of Asia, depending of course upon the geographical location and the corresponding differences in climate, apples are cultivated and show a century-long history and tradition of cultivation.

The most diverse conditions for cultivation allowing for further development exist in a broad belt between the 35^th parallel (China) and the 42^nd parallel (Caucasus, Kazakhstan or Japan).

With its wide assortment of varieties, the apple can adapt to the most varied conditions. Thus the largest Japanese apple producing area (Aomori), producing the highest quality Fuji worldwide, lies practically at sea level. The most curious, still relatively intensive commercial production area lies at almost 3000 m (9,800 feet) above sea level on the southern slopes of the Himalayas in Bhutan.

In most Asian countries, the storage conditions are very limited, and marketing structures as we know them are as good as nonexistent. Nor will their technical know-how in cultivation improve very rapidly.

Three countries should be observed carefully as far as fruit cultivation goes, though for different reasons: China, Japan and Turkey.

Table 1. Asian apple acreage and production (FAO). (Werth paper)

Cripps Pink–the Tree, Pink Lady–the Apple

Jon Durham, Australian Apple and Pear Growers Association, Melbourne, Australia

World apple markets are often oversupplied with traditional varieties such as Golden Delicious, Granny Smith and Red Delicious, which are being produced in ever-increasing quantities by large producers in South America, the USA, France and South Africa. The bulk of new world plantings continues to be red blushed, striped or green varieties.

While a few varieties continue to enter the market as chance seedlings, the development of new apples is predominantly a result of planned breeding programs.

The West Australian Department of Agriculture commenced a small apple breeding program in 1972, using the varieties Golden Delicious and Lady Williams as parents. Lady Williams was discovered in Western Australia as a chance seedling in 1935. These varieties were selected because they combine qualities of low winter chilling requirement, long storage ability and the distinctive flavor of Lady Williams with the sweetness and crisp eating quality of Golden Delicious.

Cripps Pink variety was released to somewhat disinterested Australian growers in the mid '80s. It was not until senior horticultural advisers with the department screened and compared the variety with world standards and promoted its considerable potential, coupled with favorable overseas reports, that the Australian industry did begin larger scale commercial plantings.

On semi-vigorous to medium vigor Malling Merton rootstocks Cripps Pink is a vigorous, upright growing tree. The use of more vigorous rootstocks may lead to delayed cropping associated with reduced fruit quality.

Young wood is greenish brown with medium-sized lenticels which are prominent during dormancy. Leaves are large and the petioles long. The tree will flower and crop precociously on 1-year-old vertical shoot growth under a warm climatic regime.

Apples of the Cripps Pink variety tend to be partially (40 to 60%) bright iridescent, pink skinned overlaying a lime-yellow background. The fruit has inherited its conical shape, smooth-textured flesh, thin skin and large fruit size from Golden Delicious. Vegetative vigor, resistance to sunburn, crispness and firmness, high sugar to acid ratio and excellent storage ability are qualities derived from Lady Williams. The apple is not prone to sunburn, russet, surface cracking, bitter pit or internal disorders.

Production success factors are:

• The profitability of Cripps Pink is dependent upon production of a high percentage of pink blushed fruit. Training of Cripps Pink trees aims to produce a well-structured, open tree with good light distribution throughout the canopy.
• Poor fruit color and surface hammering are associated with high nitrogen levels. Leaf nitrogen level should be held at 2 to 2.2%. This will enhance both visual appearance and eating quality. Spring shoot growth will be reduced with low nitrogen levels.
• Fruit sugar content is an important maturity index–minimum for Pink Lady™ is 13% total soluble solids.
• The optimum firmness for picking this variety for long-term storage is recommended to be 8.0 to 9.5 kgf.
• The harvest window to which these maturity indices relate in Western Australia is late April to early May.

Cripps Pinks fruit ripens in Australia in late April to early May and is recommended for production in the warmer temperate zones of Australia, where historically a delayed summer extends daytime temperatures above 20šC (68šF) as harvest approaches. Produced under these climatic conditions Cripps Pink fruit is crisp, high in sugar (13š to 16š Brix) with a balanced sweet to tangy aromatic flavor and excellent retail shelf life.

International Cripps Pink apple production in 1996 was 8,791 t. This figure is predicted to grow to 236,000 t by 2004. Australia will continue to lead world production until 2002, however South American, North American and South African production will be collectively greater than Australian production by 2003.

Premium quality fruit produced on the variety has been sold in world markets as Pink Lady. This fruit has been able to achieve substantial price premiums over competitor fruit in the United Kingdom. The fruit was almost double the price of its nearest retail competitor. This price premium is largely attributable to the apple's unique characteristics and premium quality.

Pink Lady trademarks were registered by the West Australian Agriculture Department to protect the integrity and quality of the fruit marketed off the Cripps Pink variety. They have recently been transferred to the Australian Apple and Pear Growers Association (AAPGA). AAPGA will use the trademarks to ensure apples carrying the name are true to type, do not fall below minimum quality specifications and contribute through promotions to the ongoing development of the product.