The export of Styrian apples has so far proceeded in relatively normal patterns. "We have fewer quantities available this year than last year, which is why the export share will be overall lower for us," Michael Pichler, salesperson at F. Kröpfl Obsthandelsgesellschaft, told us. However, one must differentiate significantly, he adds. "With the Golden variety, the volumes are rather stable and similar to last year. The same applies to the Evelina variety. For Gala, however, we have to accept a quantity reduction of about ten percent. The biggest harvest decline, however, is in the Jonagold group with a decrease of 50 percent compared to the previous year."
Nevertheless, the marketing, especially with European retailers, has started quite well, Pichler continues. "There were essentially good starting prices at the beginning of the season, and the export prices are almost at the level of the previous year. In the area of wholesale markets and in the Eastern countries, sales have so far been rather restrained. The latter is due to the fact that there are still their own storage apples available and the price level of our apples has so far been too high." The main export markets of the Styrian company are primarily Spain, Germany, and Scandinavia. Great Britain plays rather a supplementary role.
Michael Pichler at Fruit Attraction 2023.
The export market in the pome fruit sector is also quite competitive this year, Pichler further observes. "Italy has similar prices to us. Compared to Poland and the Balkan countries, however, Styrian apples are on average 0.10-0.15 EUR/kg more expensive. This usual difference between the mentioned source countries and the rest of Europe exists almost every year." The quality of the apples has been predominantly good. "We observe good fruit firmness and storability, even if average calibers are somewhat smaller compared to the previous year. Therefore, we are quite confident about the remaining season in terms of the quality of our apples."
Freshly crisp apples of the Mozart brand.
Due to the smaller apple harvest in Styria, it is difficult to open up new export markets at this point in time. Now the main task is to maintain the position. Pichler: "Egypt was an interesting export destination for us for a while, but due to the exchange rate differences, it has unfortunately become extremely difficult to serve the local market. Interestingly, we are now feeling an increased demand from Jordan, especially for Granny Smith. Proportionally, this variety has a supplementary character in our production. However, we see it as an interesting niche product and are accordingly striving to slightly increase the volumes. In general, the trend at the variety level continues to move away from sour varieties, such as Jonagold and Braeburn, while sweet-sour varieties are gaining importance. We have also significantly reduced Golden Delicious over the past few years, so there has already been a consolidation of areas."
The Kröpfl company headquarters in Styria's Sebersdorf.
Growth in SweeTango, Bonita and Evelina
In addition, the Kröpfl company is committed to the topic of club apples. The main concern of the company is to be able to offer tasty club apples to domestic and foreign consumers all year round. Pichler: "SweeTango, for example, has become well established, especially in the first third of the season, i.e. from August to October/November. Bonita has also been on the rise in the last two/three years and is establishing itself especially in the later area, between April and June. For both varieties, we now expect pleasing increases in quantity thanks to new plants that are coming into full yield. Evelina also had a good harvest, which will be very interesting for our customers, especially from March."
Apple sorting.
Pear cultivation on the rise
Although apples still form the core competence of the company, pear cultivation is also being expanded gradually, Pichler explains. "Several new plantings of the club pear QTee have been made in recent years, which will bear fruit in the coming years. It is a relatively early pear for the first half of the season, which is primarily intended purely for the domestic market. New to our range is the late pear Cordula, which we already deliver in smaller quantities to the Austrian retailers."
Visit the company at Fruit Logistica: Hall 21 / E-32.
For more information:
Michael Pichler
F. Kröpfl Obsthandelsgesellschaft mbH
8272 Sebersdorf 274, Austria
T: +43 3333 / 2033
[email protected]
www.obst-kroepfl.at
https://www.obst-steiermark.at/