You could not miss Boer Gijs's yellow Sonnenglanz apples at the recent Zuid-Nederland fruit and vegetable trade show. "Many people think it's an overripe Golden Delicious, but when they taste it, they're immediately won over," Norbert Jongerius says, laughing. He and his brother Pierre have been marketing this yellow apple of German origin for five years.
"We have 1.5 hectares of Sonnenglanz apples in production and are adding another one and a half hectares. As the years pass, we increasingly get the hang of how to grow these apples. We're now harvesting 45 to 50 tons and want to build the market up slowly."
Norbert and Pierre Jongerius with colleague Arend.
That is successful because the brothers - the family business' fourth generation - want to increase the variety's production according to the Dutch and Belgian markets' demand. "There must first be market demand to achieve good grower, trader, and retail prices," says Norbert. The yellow apples are picked from late September to early October.
They will be graded for the first time this week. The Jongerius brothers sell the variety via wholesalers to greengrocers and two of the Dutch supermarket, Jumbo's, Foodmarkets. "These apples do best in these channels. They don't compete, price-wise, but rank more with Kanzi and Pink Lady. We focus on the higher end of the market. Quality comes first; that's the only way to stand out in the market."
"The variety has several unique traits. It's extra special because it doesn't discolor after it's sliced, making it ideal to use in salads. It tastes refreshingly sweet with a citrusy aroma. Plus, people with allergies can eat them. It's astounding how many people suffer from this, even locally. They come from far and wide for these apples. And for those apples that don't meet Class I, we partnered with Schulp to process them into juice," Norbert concludes.
Once sliced, the apple stays nice and white.
Besides Sonnenglanz, Jongerius also cultivates Conference, Bonne Louise, Early Desire, and Gieser Wildeman pears and Goudreinet, Elstar, Wellant, and Delbare apples. With their farm store 'Boer Gijs' - referring to the founder - the brothers are on a mission to bring the orchard closer to consumers. Thus, they organize orchard tours, picking days, picnics, and treasure hunts.
For more information:
Pierre en Norbert Jongerius
Mts. Fruitbedrijf Jongerius
19 Waijensedijk
3992 LN, Houten, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 613 864 131
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.boergijs.nl