Fruit from the South Tyrolean industry benefited from excellent climatic conditions this year.

Dr Paul Zandanel, director of sales promotion of the Bozen Chamber of Commerce, said: “Climatic conditions during ripening and harvesting were more or less perfect, ensuring that the South Tyrolean fruit industry is able to present a harvest of excellent quality at this year’s Fruit Logistica.

“The months of September and October in particular had a very favourable influence on fruit formation, with the result that the alpine apples from the South Tyrol are of an ideal size and excellent colouring.”

Zandanel reported the harvest totalled 966,380 tonnes, of which 854,800 tonnes were dessert apples.

“Consequently we can describe the 2004 harvest as exceptional, a very special year.”

Chef Willy Winkler and his team of creative cooks from South Tyrol were at the show to offer tasty creations made with apples from the region.