More Cider apples grown

CIDER apple production has increased significantly with 154 hectares produced by fourteen growers last year, the latest census on the overall industry has revealed.

An estimated 50% increase in the cider apple area since 1997 is attributed to the planting of new orchards by individual growers for the drinks industry.

Fifteen varieties are grown with Tipperary, Waterford and Kilkenny having 95% of the total cider apple production area.

The 2002 National Apple Orchard Census was compiled from a comprehensive survey of growers representing the apple orchard population.

Carried out by the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAF) and Bord Glas, it found there are 631 hectares of apples produced in Ireland by 46 growers. This resulted in a total farmgate value of €2.6 million in the 2001-2002 season.

The census revealed that the largest 15 growers (in terms of area) accounted for over three-quarters (77%) of the total orchard area. And the smallest 15 growers (in terms of area) accounted for only 4%. It also showed a reduction in the total number of culinary and/or dessert apple growers in Ireland since the 1997 census. In 2002, there were 38 growers growing culinary and/or dessert apples, a 31% decrease from the 1997 level of 55 growers.

There was a total full-time equivalent figure of 98 people employed in 2002, with growers in Dublin, Waterford and Tipperary accounting for 69 full-time equivalent employees.

Irish Apple Growers Association chairman Con Trass, said the many young orchards in the country will be producing a lot of good quality apples. But horticultural producers in general and apple growers in particular, need greater Government support.