National Apple Orchard Census
2012
1
Table of Contents
Introduction
Page 3
Executive Summary
Page 4
Section 1
Orchard Area, Sales, Growers and Markets
Page 6
Section 2
Varieties and Orchard Age
Page 15
Section 3
Employment, Facilities, Business Development and Producer Page 21
Profile
Appendix Tables
Table 1: Apple Production Area (hectares) by Year of Planting and Apple Type in Ireland in 2012
Table 2: Number of Apple Trees by Year of Planting and Apple Type in Ireland in 2012
Table 3: Number of Growers of Each Apple Type by County in Ireland in 2012
Table 4: Sales of 2011 Harvest by Market by County
Table 5: Production Area, Number of Growers and Sales for Most Commonly Grown Apple Varieties
in Ireland in 2011/12
Table 6: Average (median) Prices per Tonne by Market for 2011 harvest
Table 7: Apple Production Area (hectares) in Ireland in 1980-2012
2
National Apple Orchard Census 2012
Introduction
The National Apple Orchard Census 2012 was compiled from information provided
by the 45 commercial apple growers operating in the Republic of Ireland in 2012.
The census provides an important overview of apple production, and comparisons are
made to previous censuses (2007, 2002 and 1997) where possible.
The census surveyed all commercial orchards, defined as follows:
- a production area of at least 0.2 hectares of apples, including cider apples
- the fruit from the orchard is sold every year
- the orchard is sprayed against pests/diseases every year, or maintained to organic
standards
Within the 45 growers, there are two organic growers.
Production areas are based on areas planted up to March 2012. Sales value and
volume reflects the 2011 crop, harvested in autumn 2011 and sold in 2011/12.
Bord Bia and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine wish to thank all
apple growers surveyed, and Teagasc, for their assistance in compiling this census.
Notes:
For convenience, figures in this report are rounded.
Statistical analysis for this census was carried out by Franklin Research, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.
3
Executive Summary
This report presents the findings of a census of the 45 Irish orchards operating in
2012.
Total apple production area in 2012 is 615 hectares, which represents a 6% increase
from the previous census (579 hectares in 2007). Half (50%) of the total production
area is accounted for by the culinary variety Bramley’s Seedling. Culinary varieties in
total account for 51% of total production area, followed by cider varieties at 29% and
dessert varieties at 20%.
Culinary apple production area increased 18% since the 2007 census, while cider
apple production area increased 12%. Production area of dessert apples continues to
decline, down 20% from the 2007 census and 40% since the 1997 census.
The value of Irish apples harvested in 2011 is €4.88 million. This is a 24% increase in
farmgate value since the last census.
Culinary apples account for 49% of total
production value, dessert apples account for 35% and cider apples 16%.
The apple sector employs 58 people full-time and 236 people part-time,
corresponding to 113 full-time equivalent jobs.
Dublin, Tipperary, Meath, Waterford and Kilkenny are the principal counties for
apple production, accounting for 90% of total apple production area in 2012.
Dublin and Meath production is mostly concentrated in culinary production, with 177
hectares and 49 hectares of culinary apples respectively. Tipperary production is
mostly cider production, with 82 hectares of cider apples. Production in Waterford
and Kilkenny is more evenly spread across the three apple types.
Growers with larger orchards dominate apple production. Of the 45 orchards in 2012,
the top 10 (in terms of orchard area) account for 63% of total production area.
4
The production area of the culinary variety Bramley’s Seedling has increased 16%
from the last census (309 hectares in 2012, up from 266 hectares in 2007). This
increase is mostly due to significant new plantings by a small number of growers.
Among the dessert varieties, the production area of Jonagold is down 39% from the
last census (35 hectares in 2012, from 57 hectares in 2007). The production areas of
the other main dessert varieties Elstar and Katja are virtually unchanged.
Dabinett is the most important cider variety. Its production area is up 17% from the
last census (90 hectares in 2012, from 77 hectares in 2007). The production area of
Michelin is unchanged at 51 hectares.
The age profile of apple trees varies by apple variety. 35% of total production area in
trees is under 10 years of age. However, 44% of culinary trees are 20+ years of age,
in comparison to only 28% of dessert trees and 31% of cider trees.
38% of orchards have mechanical harvesting equipment.
40% of orchards have
refrigeration storage, with 9% having ultra low 02 stores.
Grower comments on barriers to expansion are dominated by cost and profitability
issues (e.g. establishment costs, time before return on investment, low cost imports
and labour costs).
For further information contact:
Lorcan Bourke,
Edward Massey,
Bord Bia,
Horticulture & Plant Health Division,
Clanwilliam Court, Lower Mount St,
Dept. of Agriculture, Food & the Marine,
Dublin 2.
Backweston Campus, Celbridge, Co Kildare.
Tel: (01) 668 5155
Tel: (01) 5058755
Email: lorcan.bourke@bordbia.ie
Email: ted.massey@agriculture.gov.ie
5
Section 1 Orchard Area, Sales, Growers and Markets
This section provides an overview of apple production in Ireland. The charts illustrate
the key trends in orchard area, sales, growers and markets.
Apple Production Are a in Ire land by Apple Type
in 1997, 2002, 2007 and 2012 (he ctare s )
400
Area (hectares)
300
287
317
306
269
204
171
200
153
122
100
154 157
176
100
0
Culinary
Dessert
1997
2002
2007
Cider*
2012
* T he 1997 cider apple figure is based on a T eagasc est imate.
Total apple production area (culinary, dessert and cider) in 2012 is 615 hectares. This
is a 6% increase from the last census (579 hectares in 2007). The average (median)
orchard size in 2012 is 8.2 hectares.
Culinary apple production area in 2012 is 317 hectares, representing 51% of total
production area. Cider apple production area is 176 hectares (29% of total production
area) and dessert apple production area is 122 hectares (20% of total production area).
Culinary apple production area increased 18% since the 2007 census (from 269
hectares in 2007 to 317 hectares in 2012). This increase is largely due to significant
new plantings of Bramley’s Seedling by a small number of growers (both new and
existing growers), but may be partly attributable to an under-recording of culinary
area in the 2007 census. Cider apple production area increased 12% (from 157
hectares in 2007 to 176 hectares in 2012). Production area of dessert apples continues
to decline, down 20% from the last census and 40% since the 1997 census (204
hectares in 1997, 153 hectares in 2007 and 122 hectares in 2012).
6
Farmgate Value of Apple s in Ire land
for 2001, 2006 and 2011 Harve s ts (€ million)
€5.00
€4.11
Value (€ m illion)
€4.00
€3.15
€3.00
€2.26
€2.00
€0.78
€1.00
€0.77
€0.33
€0.00
Culinary & dessert*
2001
Cider
2006
2011
* 1996 value figures not available. Culinary and dessert combined because 2007 census asked growers for t he combined
value of culinary and dessert apple sales.
Total farmgate sales value of Irish apples harvested in 2011 is €4.88 million. This is a
24% increase in farmgate value since the last census (€3.93 million) and an 88%
increase on the 2002 census (€2.59 million).
Culinary apples sales in 2011/12 were €2.39 million (representing 49% of total
farmgate value), dessert apple sales were €1.72 million (35% of total farmgate value)
and cider apples sales were €0.77 million (16% of total farmgate value).
The value of culinary and dessert apple sales increased by 30% (from €3.15 million in
2006/07 to €4.11 million in 2011/12), while the value of cider apple sales is
unchanged (€0.78 million in 2006/07 and €0.77 million in 2011/12).
7
B re akdown of Orchard Production Are a in 2012 and Farmgate Sale s
Value of 2011 Harve st in Ire land
100%
84%
75%
71%
50%
29%
25%
16%
0%
Culinary & dessert
% of production area in 2012
Cider
% of farmgate sales value of 2011 harvest
P roduct ion area in 2012 = 615 ha.; farmgat e sales value of 2 011 harvest = €4.88 million.
Culinary and dessert apples in 2012 account for 71% of production area and 84% of
sales value of the 2011 crop. Cider apples account for 29% of production area and
16% of sales value of the 2011 crop.
8
Numbe r of Apple Growe rs in Ire land by Apple Type
in 2002, 2007 and 2012
Number of growers
50
34
30
36
34
32
31
25
17
14
19
0
Culinary
Dessert
2002
2007
Cider
2012
The total number of growers in 2012 is 45. This is almost identical to the 46 growers
operating in 2002 and up from the 40 growers operating in 2007.
Of the 45 growers operating in 2012, 34 grow culinary apples, 32 grow dessert apples
and 19 grow cider apples.
The number of growers growing culinary apples is up 13% (from 30 growers in 2007
to 34 growers in 2012). There is very little change in the numbers of growers growing
dessert apples (31 growers in 2007 and 32 growers in 2012) or cider apples (17
growers in 2007 to 19 growers in 2012).
9
Apple Production in Ire land by Orchard Size in 2007 and 2012
% of total production area
100%
75%
64%
63%
50%
30%
27%
25%
6%
10%
0%
Largest 10 orchards (by
area)
Next 15 largest orchards
(by area)
2007
Smaller orchards (by area)*
2012
* 15 sm aller orchards in 2007, 20 in 2012.
Apple production is dominated by growers with larger orchards. Of the 45 orchards
in 2012, the top 10 (in terms of orchard area) account for 63% of total production
area. The next 15 orchards account for 27% of total production area, while the
smallest 20 orchards account for 10%. However, the proportion of total production
area accounted for by the top 10 growers is marginally (1%) down from the 2007
census, indicating that the larger orchards are not increasing their share of the apple
market.
10
Production Are a of Each Apple Type in Ire land by County in 2012
(he ctare s )
197
Area (hectares)
200
20
124
100
177
0
Dublin
103
71
82
45
30
12
49
Meath
14
28
30
27
29
12
Tipperary
Waterford
Kilkenny
Culinary
Dessert
61
59
19
16
24
All other
counties
Cider
Five counties (Dublin, Tipperary, Meath, Waterford and Kilkenny) account for 90%
of total apple production area in 2012.
Dublin’s production area of 197 hectares in 2012 is up 6% since the last census (185
hectares in 2007), while Meath’s production area of 61 hectares is up 17% (52
hectares in 2007). Of the other major counties, Tipperary’s production area is 124
hectares in 2012 (up from 115 hectares in 2007), Waterford’s is 103 hectares (up from
92 hectares) and Kilkenny’s is 71 hectares (down from 83 hectares).
Dublin and Meath production is largely focused on culinary production, with 177
hectares and 49 hectares of culinary apples respectively (together accounting for 71%
of culinary apple production area). Tipperary’s production is mostly cider production,
with 82 hectares of cider apple varieties (accounting for 47% of cider apple
production area). Production in Waterford and Kilkenny is more evenly spread across
the three apple types.
11
Apple Production Are a, Farmgate Sale s Value and Numbe r of Growe rs
in Ire land by County in 2011/12
% of total
60%
40%
20%
32%33%
13%
22%
19%
17%
20%18%
16%
10%8% 9%
27%
13%
12%12%
10%9%
0%
Dublin
Tipperary
% of production area in 2012
Meath
Waterford
Kilkenny
% of farmgate sales value of 2011 harvest
All other
counties
% of growers in 2012
P roduct ion area in 2 012 = 615 ha.; farmgat e sales value of 2011 h arvest = €4.88 million ; number of growers in 2012 = 45.
The five counties, Dublin, Tipperary, Meath, Waterford and Kilkenny account for
90% of total production area, 91% of total farmgate sales value and 73% of all
growers.
Dublin and Meath have a small number of growers relative to their share of
production area and farmgate sales value, indicating a larger than average orchard
size.
12
M arke t De stination for Irish Apple s Harve ste d in 2011(tonne s )
10,000
Weight (tonnes)
8,000
9,425
2,446
165
6,000
4,821
3,541
4,000
2,000
3,374
230
496
3,274
267
4,821
2,380
0
Culinary
* Not shown: 27 t onnes t o slicing/puree, and 4 t onnes
t o juicing. T ot al cider variet y t onnes = 4,85 2.
Dessert
Fresh
Cider*
Cider
Juice
Slicing/puree
The total tonnage of culinary, dessert and cider apples harvested in 2011 is 17,650
tonnes.
Culinary apples sales tonnage was 9,425 tonnes in 2011, representing 53% of total
sales tonnage. Of this, 3,541 tonnes were sold into the cider market, 3,274 tonnes
were sold into the fresh market, 2,446 tonnes were sold into the slicing/puree market
and 165 tonnes were sold into the juice market.
Dessert apple sales tonnage was 3,374 tonnes, representing 19% of total sales
tonnage. The majority of dessert apple sales (2,380 tonnes) were sold into the fresh
market.
Cider apple sales tonnage (for dedicated cider varieties) was 4,821 tonnes,
representing 27% of total sales tonnage. In addition, 3,541 tonnes of culinary apples
and 496 tonnes of dessert apples were destined for the cider market.
13
Average tonnes per hectare & average price per tonne
Ave rage Yie lds and Price s pe r Tonne in Ire land for 2011 Harve s t
€575
600.0
400.0
€173
200.0
29.7
€145
27.6
27.4
0.0
Culinary
Dessert
Average yield (tonnes per hectare)
Cider
Average price per tonne
For culinary apples harvested in 2011, the average yield is 29.7 tonnes per hectare
while the average farmgate sales price per tonne is €173. This gives an average sales
value per hectare for culinary apples of €5,136.
For dessert apples, the average yield is 27.6 tonnes per hectare while the average
farmgate sales price per tonne is €575. This gives an average sales value per hectare
for culinary apples of €15,873.
For cider apples, the average yield is 27.4 tonnes per hectare while the average
farmgate sales price per tonne is €145. This gives an average sales value per hectare
for culinary apples of €3,972.
Average prices per tonne by market are shown in Table 6 of the appendix.
14
Section 2 Varieties and Orchard Age
This section provides a breakdown of the census information by variety of apple
grown. Information about the age profile of apple trees is also provided.
Apple Production Area in Ireland by Variety in 2012
Dessert 20%
Other dessert
8%
Katja/Katy
2%
Dabinett
15%
Michelin
8%
Cider 29%
Elstar
4%
Other cider
6%
Jonagold
6%
Other culinary
1%
Culinary 51%
Bramley's Seedling
50%
P roduction area in 2012 = 615 hect ares.
Culinary production: culinary apples account for 51% of total apple production area
in 2012. Bramley’s Seedling accounts for virtually all culinary apple production (317
hectares of culinary apples, of which 309 hectares are Bramley’s Seedling).
Dessert production: dessert apples account for 20% of total apple production area.
Jonagold is the most widely produced dessert variety accounting for 6% of total apple
15
production area, followed by Elstar (4% of total apple production area) and Katja
(2%).
Cider production: cider apples account for 29% of total apple production area.
Dabinett is the most produced cider variety accounting for 15% of total apple
production area, followed by Michelin (8% of total apple production area)
16
Production Are a for M ost Important Culinary and De ss e rt Apple
Varie tie s Grown in Ire land in 1997, 2002, 2007 and 2012 (he ctare s )
309
266
298
276
Bramley's Seedling
2012
35
57
46
47
Jonagold
2007
2002
23
26
23
24
Elstar
13
14
21
Katja/Katy
1997
43
59
58
Other varieties
0
89
101
100
200
P roduction area (hect ares)
300
400
The production area of the culinary variety Bramley’s Seedling in 2012 is 309
hectares, up from 266 hectares in 2007.
Among the dessert varieties, the production area of Jonagold is down 39% from
previous years (35 hectares in 2012, from 57 hectares in 2007). The production areas
of Elstar and Katja are virtually unchanged (Elstar: 23 hectares in 2012, from 26
hectares in 2007; Katja: 13 hectares in 2012, from 14 hectares in 2007).
Table 5 in the appendix provides production areas for other culinary and dessert
varieties.
17
Production Are a for M ost Important Cide r Apple Varie tie s Grown in
Ire land in 2002, 2007 and 2012 (he ctare s)
90
Dabinett
77
57
2012
51
51
Michelin
2007
57
2002
35
Other varieties
29
40
0
50
P roduct ion area (hect ares)
100
150
Among the cider varieties, the production area of Dabinett is up 17% from the
previous census (90 hectares in 2012, from 77 hectares in 2007), while the production
area of Michelin is unchanged at 51 hectares.
18
Age Profile of Apple Trees in Ireland
in March 2012 (percent of total apple production area)
25 years and over
26%
0-4 years
26%
160 ha.
158 ha.
20-24 years
11%
55 ha.
68 ha.
70 ha.
104 ha.
15-19 years
11%
5-9 years
9%
10-14 years
17%
P roduct ion area in 2012 = 615 hect ares.
Overall, Irish orchards have a varied age profile between younger trees and trees that
have reached maturity. However, only 37% are in their most productive years (5-19
years). While 26% of trees are aged 0-4 years a further 37% are aged over 20 years
and as such have reducing production capacity.
19
Age Profile of Apple Tre e s in Ire land by Apple Type
in M arch 2012 (he ctare s )
317
300
Area (hectares)
112
200
176
26
35
14
5
100
124
0
Culinary
0-4 years
5-9 years
29
25
22
122
17
17
13
18
37
20
71
13
16
Dessert
10-14 years
15-19 years
Cider
20-24 years
25 years and over
The majority of apple trees planted within the last 10 years are culinary (129 hectares
of culinary trees aged 0-9 years, versus 56 hectares for dessert trees and 29 hectares
for cider trees).
Culinary production could be expected to significantly increase over the coming years
with a total of 124 hectares (39% of culinary production area) less than 5 years of age.
This recent planting will go some way to address the age imbalance in culinary
orchards where 138 hectares (44% of culinary production area) are aged 20+ years.
20
Section 3 Employment, Facilities, Business Development
and Producer Profile
Apple Orchard Employme nt in Ire land in 2012
236
Number of people em ployed
7
200
168
100
113
2
58
56
21
61
55
Part-time
Total full-time
equivalents*
37
0
Full-time
Irish
EU
Non-EU
* Full-time jobs plus part -t im e jo bs aggregat ed t o t he n umber of full-t ime jobs t hey would represent .
There are 58 people in full-time employment on Irish orchards in 2012 and 236
people in part-time employment. Converting those in part-time employment to the
number of full-time jobs they would represent, results in a total of 113 full-time
equivalent jobs in Irish orchards in 2012.
This indicates very little change in
employment in Irish orchards since 2007.
21
Pe rce ntage of Iris h Apple Growe rs with Diffe re nt Facilitie s in 2012
75%
% of growers
58%
50%
38%
40%
36%
29%
20%
25%
20%
9%
0%
M e c h a n ic a l
h a r v e s t in g
P ackho us e
J u ic in g
e q u ip m e n t
A p p le g r a d e r R e f r ig e r a t e d U lt r a L o w 0 2
s to ra g e
S to re
B a rn s to re
B in s
* number of growers in 2012 is 45.
38% of growers have mechanical harvesting equipment.
For apple storage, 40% of growers have refrigeration storage, but only 9% of growers
have ultra low 02 storage facilities, which exist within a refrigerated store.
36% of growers have packhouses.
Growers with packhouses tend to also have
refrigerated and possibly ultra low 02 stores. Growers that solely have barn storage
are unlikely to have a packhouse.
29% of growers have juicing equipment. This is higher than expected and may be
attributable to many smaller growers that have low capacity (i.e. non-commercial)
juicing equipment.
58% of growers have bins. While producers solely involved in cider apple production
don’t use bins, this figure is lower than expected. This is considered to be due to
smaller growers with multiple varieties harvesting directly into boxes.
For apple transport (not shown), 9% of growers (i.e. four growers) have their own
chilled transport.
22
Are a and Capacity of Apple Storage Facilitie s in Ire land in 2012
11,762
9,213
Area/capacity
10,000
6,664
5,215
5,000
4,532
0
Refrigeration
storage (m3)
Ultra Low 02 Packhouse (m3) Barn store (m3) Bins (tonnes)
Store (m3)
Total refrigeration capacity is 11,762 cubic metres, with ultra low O2 storage capacity
of 5,215 cubic metres.
Packhouse area is 4,532 cubic metres, barn storage area is 9,213 cubic metres and bin
capacity is 6,664 tonnes.
23
State d B arrie rs to Expans ion for Iris h Apple Growe rs
in 2012
Est ablish m ent Cost s
49%
P ro fit abilit y
44%
42%
Mark et Opport unit ies
T im e Before Ret urn on Inv est m ent
33%
Low Cost Im port s
33%
Labour Cost s
33%
16%
Ot her
0%
Num ber of growers in 201 2 is 45 .
25%
50%
% of growers
Grower comments on barriers to expansion are dominated by cost and profitability
issues. In the above chart, establishment costs, profitability, time before return on
investment, low cost imports and labour costs all relate to making a profitable return
on investment.
24
Irish Growe r's Orchard De ve lopme nt Plans for ne xt 5 ye ars
(he ctare s )
100
92
15
Area (hectares)
12
50
34
29
14
0
15
4
9
1
12
Re-plant
Grub out
10
4
15
3
Plant new
Bramley's Seedling
26
Dabinett
Elstar
Jonagold
Sissy Red
Other
Growers plan to plant 92 hectares with new trees over the next 5 years. Among
planned new trees, Jonagold has the highest area with 34 hectares of new orchard
planned. However, growers also plan to grub out 9 hectares of Jonagold. Significant
new plantings of Sissy Red are also planned by growers (12 hectares of new plantings
and 10 hectares of replantings).
As seen earlier, 139 hectares of culinary trees are aged 20 years or more. It is
therefore not surprising that growers plans to grub out 12 hectares of Bramley’s
Seedling over the next 5 years.
While there have been significant new plantings of culinary apples over the last 5
years, growers will mostly plant dessert apples over the next 5 years. This should
maintain the positive age profile among dessert varieties.
There is a long lead-in time between planting and when an orchard reaches its full
productive capacity. Therefore to predict future Irish apple production the above
graph should be read in conjunction with “Age Profile of Apple Trees in Ireland by
Apple Type” presented on Page 20 of this Report.
25
Source s of Plant/Propagating M ate rial for Iris h Apple
Growe rs in 2012
UK
44%
Belgium
33%
Holland
29%
Ireland
18%
Ot h er Euro pe
7%
0%
25%
50%
% of growers
Num ber of growers in 201 2 is 45 .
Adds t o m o re t han 100% as som e growers source from m ore t han one count ry.
44% of Irish apple growers in 2012 source their plant/propagating materials from the
UK. Belgium and Holland are next main source countries (33% and 29% of growers
respectively).
Less than one-fifth (18%) of growers source plant/propagating
materials in Ireland.
26
Age Profile of Irish Apple Growers
in 2012
65 or over
18%
under 35
2%
35-44
25%
55-64
22%
45-54
33%
Number of growers in 2012 is 45.
Almost one-fifth of growers (18%) are aged 65 or older, while only 2% are under 35
years of age.
The census also asked whether the grower had an identified successor and 47% said
that they did.
27
APPENDICES
Table 1: Apple Production Area (hectares) by Year of Planting and Apple Type in Ireland in 2012
Area (hectares)
Apple Type
Planted 2007- Planted 2002- Planted 1997- Planted 1992- Planted 1987- Planted 1986
2012
2007
2002
1997
1992
and earlier
Total
Culinary
Dessert
Cider
124
20
16
5
37
13
14
18
71
35
13
22
26
17
25
112
17
29
317
122
176
Total
% of total
160
26%
55
9%
104
17%
70
11%
68
11%
158
26%
615
100%
Table 2: Number of Apple Trees by Year of Planting and Apple Type in Ireland in 2012
Number of trees
Apple Type
Planted 2007- Planted 2002- Planted 1997- Planted 1992- Planted 1987- Planted 1986
2012
2007
2002
1997
1992
and earlier
Total
Culinary
Dessert
Cider
183,806
37,754
12,205
7,219
46,598
6,835
11,032
26,508
44,467
38,433
14,331
15,744
12,984
21,341
8,100
51,834
14,159
8,886
305,307
160,690
96,238
Total
% of total
233,765
42%
60,651
11%
82,007
15%
68,508
12%
42,425
8%
74,879
13%
562,235
100%
1
Table 3: Number of Growers of Each Apple Type by County in Ireland in 2012*
Number of growers
County
Culinary Apples
Dessert Apples
Cider Apples
Total**
Waterford
Tipperary
Dublin
Kilkenny
Wexford
Other counties
6
5
5
5
4
9
7
4
5
6
4
6
7
5
3
10
7
6
6
4
12
Total
34
32
19
45
4
* Counties with at least 3 growers for each apple type.
** The total is not the sum of the row as growers can grow more than one apple type.
Table 4: Sales of 2011 Harvest by Market by County of (tonnes)*
Market
County
Fresh
Cider
Juice
Slicing/puree
Total
Waterford
Tipperary
Dublin
Kilkenny
Wexford
Other counties
856
352
2,427
1,088
176
756
2,113
3,341
1,187
1,122
46
1,049
56
172
0
16
77
116
0
0
200
27
0
2,476
3,024
3,865
3,813
2,253
299
4,397
Total
5,654
8,858
436
2,703
17,650
* Counties with at least 3 growers for culinary, dessert and cider apples.
2
Table 5: Production Area, Number of Growers and Sales for Most Commonly Grown Apple Varieties in Ireland in 2011/12*
Sales of 2011 harvest by market type (tonnes)
Apple variety
Number of
growers
Sales value of 2011 harvest
Area
(hectares)
(as at March
2012)
Average sales
Total sales value value per tonne
Fresh
Cider
Juice
Slicing/puree
Total
2,422
24
9,195
210
€2,350,716
€35,362
€256
€168
583
1,251
279
101
301
102
9
90
€310,921
€629,378
€79,660
€51,358
€74,724
€32,965
€6,813
€55,740
€533
€503
€285
€510
€249
€324
€801
€619
2,398
1,626
80
€389,268
€253,072
€14,278
€162
€156
€178
Culinary
Bramley's Seedling
Grenadier
34
7
309
8
3,274
3,337
183
162
3
Dessert
Elstar
John of Gold Strains
Katja/Katy
Discovery
Golden Delicious
Ida Red
Red Windsor
Worchester Permain
19
17
13
12
5
4
3
3
23
35
13
7
11
3
1
6
449
982
169
40
70
92
9
90
86
192
102
40
17
10
49
77
9
21
9
Cider
Dabinet
Michelin
Aston Bitter
18
13
5
90
51
5
2,371
1,626
76
206
27
4
* Varieties grown by at least 3 orchards.
3
Table 6: Average (median) Prices per Tonne by Market for 2011 harvest
Market
Culinary
Dessert
Cider
Fresh
Cider
Juice*
Total
(all markets)
€350
€489
n/a
€155
€145
€145
€1,450
€700
n/a
€173
€575
€145
* Many apple producers, and especially culinary apple producers, producing apples for juice
add value to their apples by juicing them on-farm or by paying another grower to juice their
apples. The figures outlined above reflect the ex-farm sale price so in cases where juice is
sold rather than apples they reflect the value of the juice produced from a tonne of apples
rather than the estimated value of the apples prior to juicing.
4
Table 7: Apple Production Area (hectares) in Ireland in 1980-2012
Area
(hectares)
2012
2007
2002
1997
1990
1985
1980
615
579
631
591
732*
662*
699*
* estimated figures, not based on census of apple growers. Estimates might not have included
cider apple production.
5