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Val Venosta Organic Apples: A Concrete Response to Climate Change
Climate change represents one of the greatest challenges of our time, particularly in the Alpine region, where its effects are more severe and rapid compared to other areas in Italy.
These significant events demand a proactive and prepared response. Research programs conducted by the Laimburg Research Centre and the South Tyrolean Variety Innovation Consortium focus on developing varieties that are increasingly tolerant to pests, fungal diseases, and warmer climates. VIP, the Val Venosta Fruit and Vegetable Cooperative, has been collaborating with these institutions for years to achieve these goals.
“Thanks to this research, 30% of our organic varieties, including Topaz, Bonita, SQ159-Natyra®, and Pinova, are already resistant to apple scab” says Gamper. Beyond breeding, recent efforts have focused on studying new rootstocks as a solution to future challenges. Overall, robust experimentation will become a crucial factor moving forward.
Innovation in the field and storage facilities
“While we are looking to the future, we are also acting in the present” Gamper emphasizes. “Many organic orchards are equipped with frost irrigation systems and hail nets, which also serve a shading function”.
The professionalism and high specialization of member growers in the field are further enhanced and capitalized on during the processing stage. This is achieved through technologies such as hot water treatment to reduce decay during storage and advanced washing systems to minimize defects.
“Thanks to this research, 30% of our organic varieties, including Topaz, Bonita, SQ159-Natyra®, and Pinova, are already resistant to apple scab” says Gamper. Beyond breeding, recent efforts have focused on studying new rootstocks as a solution to future challenges. Overall, robust experimentation will become a crucial factor moving forward.
Innovation in the field and storage facilities
“While we are looking to the future, we are also acting in the present” Gamper emphasizes. “Many organic orchards are equipped with frost irrigation systems and hail nets, which also serve a shading function”.
The professionalism and high specialization of member growers in the field are further enhanced and capitalized on during the processing stage. This is achieved through technologies such as hot water treatment to reduce decay during storage and advanced washing systems to minimize defects.
2024 Harvest Results
Despite the challenges, the 2024 organic apple harvest in Val Venosta closed on a positive note. “The volume stands at 94% of the previous year. The product is stable, with firmness even higher than last year and sugar levels perfectly within the average range. These are all signs that confirm the quality of our work and the right direction we have taken”.
Specifically, this year’s production campaign highlights the Gala organic variety as the leader with 16.000 tonnes of produce. Pinova follows with around 8.000 tonnes, while the Club Apple Bonita achieved 4.000 tonnes, and Topaz contributed 2.000 tonnes. The season proved more challenging for Golden Delicious, which halved its volume compared to 2023, yielding only 5.400 tonnes due to extraordinary weather events in spring (humidity and cold) and during the harvest (rain and strong winds).
“VIP’s objective”, concludes Gamper “remains clear: to maintain its leadership in the EU organic apple sector while ensuring fair returns for our member growers. The cooperative demonstrates that resilience and innovation can transform the risks of climate change into opportunities for growth, where the professionalism of each member becomes a vital component of a well-oiled machine”.
Despite the challenges, the 2024 organic apple harvest in Val Venosta closed on a positive note. “The volume stands at 94% of the previous year. The product is stable, with firmness even higher than last year and sugar levels perfectly within the average range. These are all signs that confirm the quality of our work and the right direction we have taken”.
Specifically, this year’s production campaign highlights the Gala organic variety as the leader with 16.000 tonnes of produce. Pinova follows with around 8.000 tonnes, while the Club Apple Bonita achieved 4.000 tonnes, and Topaz contributed 2.000 tonnes. The season proved more challenging for Golden Delicious, which halved its volume compared to 2023, yielding only 5.400 tonnes due to extraordinary weather events in spring (humidity and cold) and during the harvest (rain and strong winds).
“VIP’s objective”, concludes Gamper “remains clear: to maintain its leadership in the EU organic apple sector while ensuring fair returns for our member growers. The cooperative demonstrates that resilience and innovation can transform the risks of climate change into opportunities for growth, where the professionalism of each member becomes a vital component of a well-oiled machine”.
