Dutch company seeks South African apple producers

Treequattro is looking for South African producers to augment production of its non-oxidating Maribelle apple variety, which is boosting farm income in Europe. Glenneis Kriel reports.

- Glenneis Kriel

Maribelle, a slightly sweet, aromatic, green-yellow apple with a pink blush, has been identified as the most lucrative apple in Europe for the past five years.

Jan van Ingen, general manager of Treequattro, the Dutch company that owns the variety, says that the Kanzi apple currently achieves the highest price per kilogram, but Maribelle generates a better return per hectare thanks to its high yields and the low percentage of fruit diverted to the juice market. “European apple production in general averages between 50t/ha and 60t/ha, whereas Maribelle production averages around 80t/ha to 85t/ha, with some French farmers achieving yields of up to 100t/ha. And less than 2% of Maribelle apples end up being juiced, in comparison with up to 15% of the other varieties,” he says.

Danie Heyns, a plant-certifying technician at the South African Plant Improvement Organisation Trust, says higher packouts of Maribelle would greatly benefit South African producers, as a much higher percentage of apples end up as juice in South Africa on average than in Europe, primarily because sunburn is a greater problem here.

LOWER INPUT COSTS

Van Ingen attributes the high packouts to Maribelle being a non-oxidative variety, meaning the flesh of these apples does not discolour but stays white after being sliced. The variety, in effect, is ideal for value-adding through use in fruit salads or as wedges. “McDonald’s uses Maribelle in its salads and is one of our biggest clients,” he says.