German supermarket operator Rewe is to sell smaller-sized, red apples under its sustainable sourcing label Pro Planet in 3,000 stores across the country as of Monday, 11 November.
The group said the move was designed to support growers in Germany who produced a larger than usual volume of smaller apples this season as a result of cool weather earlier in the growing season.
While the apples' quality and taste was apparently not affected, a lack of light during the spring, plus a period of extremely wet and cool weather followed by a warm and dry period, had caused fruit sizing to be slightly down.
'We want to set an example in the context of our ongoing Sustainability Weeks and do good together, for lots of German fruit growers and for the environment,' commented group stores manager Lionel Souque.
'With every Pro Planet apple we sell, we support not only local growers but also the environment,' he explained.
Rewe has already developed a broad range of Pro Planet-branded apples in Austria, where fruit sourced from the region of Styria is sold under the label.
The Austrian range, which includes the varieties Gala, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Idared, Arlet, Fuji and Pinova, is available year round through Rewe's Billa, Merkur , Adeg and Penny banners.
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