Worldwide Fruit (WWF) is to introduce a range of lesser-known organic apple varieties to ensure that UK apple growers meet demands following an upsurge in retail interest in organic produce.
A concept orchard of 800 trees is being planted by WWF near Faversham, Kent, and small quantities of fruit could be on the shelves next year.
The varieties are proving to be more adaptable to UK growing conditions due to their resistance to scab and mildew. Dalinbel, a striped, orange-coloured and scab-resistant apple that owes part of its parentage to Elstar, sourced from French nurserymen Davodeau Ligonniere, will be prominent initially.
Other varieties will include trade-registered Juliet from the Escande nursery, which is already produced by a small growers’ club in France. There are also 56 hectares under production and further small-scale production in Germany. Volumes are expected to reach 500 tonnes next season and 2,500t by 2010.
Also under scrutiny in the UK will be Pinova, an attractive bi-colour from a Golden Delicious cross bred in Germany, and Topaz, a descendant of Lord Lambourne, from the Czech Republic.
WWF technical director Drew Reynolds believes the industry is at a crossroads: “Apart from being organic, the final variety selection must have the potential to provide long-term popularity with customers so growers will be able to expand initial volumes with confidence,” said Reynolds.
“Many of our best-known commercial varieties do not perform organically, compared with the results that are being recorded in New Zealand and Washington because their climates are drier.”
But while there are specialist growers already committed to organic production in the UK, there is currently a shortage of suitable land for growth, according to Reynolds. l
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