The Association of South Tyrolean Fruit Growers' Cooperatives (VOG) has begun harvesting its Rubens apple crop around two weeks earlier than last season and says it will be able to market around 1,200 tonnes of the protected club variety in 2011/12.
'We began harvesting Rubens apples in week 34, so that's two weeks earlier than last season,' VOG's managing director Gerhard Dichgans commented.
'In recent weeks, we have had all weather conditions – untouched by hail, warm days and cooler nights have resulted in beautiful, bright red apples and sufficient rain has ensured optimum fruit size.'
The commercial rights to Rubens are managed by Dutch fruit breeder Inova Fruit, which recently established a separate company to take care of commercial operations relating to new cultivars, including Rubens, Junami and Wellant.
This year's European Rubens crop is expected to be around 15,000 tonnes.
No comments yet