Where do apples come from?
Climate and soil
Polish apples owe their perfectly balanced flavour to unique climate and soil conditions, as well as to Polish fruit farmers’ considerable experience. The climate conditions characteristic for Central Europe, with sunny and warm summer days and cool nights, but also proper irrigation, contribute to the growth, fragrance and stunning colours of our fruit. Apple trees are usually grown in soil characterized by average fertility and slight acidity, as well as loess and clay soil. They can also be grown in loamy sand. The combination of the right climate conditions and soil produces apples that have bright colours and high vitamin content, and meet all quality requirements. Connoisseurs claim that the apples from the heart of Europe are a true delicacy that not only taste great but is also good for your health.
Trimming and forming apple trees
Apple trees are trimmed annually to maintain the correct balance between growth and fruiting. A proper trim facilitates air circulation and improves the light conditions around the tree canopy. Trimming is also an important phytosanitary treatment. The correct shape and size of the canopy have significant impact on the volume and quality of the fruit. Apple trees should be trimmed during the winter dormancy, usually in the second half of the season. Supplementary trimming is performed in the summer to increase the sun exposure of the fruit to improve their colour and flavour.
Whitewashing trunks and branches
Whitewashing is a protective treatment applied to apple trees in order to avoid the formation of cracks in the wood caused by exposure to sun and warmth during the day, followed by frost during the night. Whitewashing prevents this from happening because the white colour reflects sunlight and keeps the bark cool. Whitewashing is performed between November and the end of January. Apple tree trunks are treated with very adhesive lime-based whitewash which secures the bark until spring.
Fruit picking and storage
Apples should be picked gently to avoid mechanical damage to the peel. The fruit should be transported carefully in order to prevent bruising and other damage. The harvested apples should be placed in cold store as soon as possible. Only the top-quality fruit picked at the optimal maturity stage should be stored. Picking the apples too late will make storage more difficult, as the fruit will be more prone to rot.
Fertilizing trees
The preparation of soil in Polish orchards starts before the first seedlings are planted. The orchard then undergoes regular agricultural treatments, including fertilization. Based on the analysis of the soil and leaves, and the visual inspection of the trees, the most appropriate fertilizers are selected and applied to ensure that the tree receives the necessary minerals to grow and bear high-quality fruit.
Watering
Apple trees have high needs in terms of water supply. Artificial watering is required during droughts. Insufficient water supply not only significantly reduces the crop yield, but also compromises the quality of the fruit. Lack of water also impairs the growth of apple trees, affecting the crop yield in subsequent years. Fruit farmers have to make sure their apple trees receive the right amount of water to stay healthy, grow and fruit.
Environmentally friendly production
The most widespread apple production system in Poland is the Integrated Fruit Production (IFP) conducted in accordance with the applicable European standards. IFP provides sustainable use of technical and biological developments in fruit farming, plant protection and fertilization, with particular focus on the protection of the environment and human health. The system ensures a more cost-effective production of high-quality food without excessive content of any residual harmful substances, and reduces the pollution of the environment by chemical plant protection agents.
Plant protection agents
In apple trees, the plant protection agents are used in accordance with label instructions and in such manner as to prevent hazards to the environment, but also to the health of humans or animals. Pest control and treatment of plant diseases are conducted according to the monitoring of occurrence. Those issues can also be managed using other, non-chemical methods which are an important element of both the integrated and the organic apple production systems. Non-chemical methods reduce the use of plant protection chemicals, thus considerably mitigating environment pollution and hazards to the consumers. Those methods include, among others, canopy trimming and forming, fertilization, removing fallen leaves, collecting and destroying mummified fruit, removing the host plants of apple tree pathogens which may potentially cause outbreaks in the orchard, and removing infested stems in early spring to control the sources of apple powdery mildew.
Distribution chain
Cultivation
Unique climate, fertile soil, excellent cultivation technology, as well as the know-how and experience of Polish fruit farmers all contribute to the outstanding flavour and smell of Polish apples.
Picking
Advanced apple picking techniques ensure performance combined with exceptional care for every single fruit, so that the apples bought by our clients are delicious and appealing.
Sorting
We sort the apples carefully according to weight, size and colour into three classes, under which they are then marketed: Premium, Class I and Class II.
Storage
With state-of-the-art fruit storage facilities, we are able to supply our delicious apples all year round. Our apples are stored in specialised cold stores with environment control.
Delivery
Our apples are exported to Asia mainly by sea, usually transported in refrigerated containers so that they reach the recipients fresh.
Shop
Each package of Polish apples has a label identifying the shipper, the origin of the produce, and sales specification.
Home
Our clients can enjoy fresh and healthy apples from the heart of Europe. Consumers in numerous countries already know the flavour of Polish fruit, widely recognised to be one of the best in the world.
