Fresh Produce Supply Spain
Apple
Catalonia – top region of production in Spain
Spain cultivates a wide range of apples, mainly in the northern and northeastern regions, where the cooler, more temperate climate is ideal for these crops. While Spain is not the largest producer of apples and pears in Europe (compared to countries like Poland or Italy), it still plays a significant role, especially with high-quality, regionally protected varieties.
In Spain, the harvest usually runs from August to October, followed by the storage season from October until May (sometimes June). Spain therefore supplies apples almost year-round, combining the fresh harvest with stored fruit.
The most commercial varieties are red ones such as Gala, Red Delicious and Fuji, as well as green/yellow ones such as Golden Delicious and Granny Smith.
Varieties
Royal Gala (Aug — May)
Red/yellow colour, sweet, aromatic and crispy. Good uniformity. One of the most important in Spain, strong demand in EU retail.
Fuji (Aug — May)
Red/yellow colour, very sweet. Dense and crunchy texture. Large fruit size, good storage.
Red Delicious (Aug — May)
Strong red colour, sweet, mild flavour and soft texture.
Golden Delicious (Aug — May)
Yellow colour, balanced sweet-acid taste, medium firmness. Most widely grown in Spain, classic EU variety.
Granny Smith (Aug — May)
Strong green colour. Very acidic and crispy. Excellent storage life.
Pink Lady (Aug — May)
Important premium export brand. Red/pink colour, balanced sweetness. Originally from Australia.
Jazz (Aug — May)
Niche premium
Envy (Aug — May)
Premium sweetness
Harvest season by Variety
Sizes and packaging
- Sizes: Apples are strictly sized by diameter (mm).
-
Packaging formats
- 13 kg box
- 18 kg box
| Diameter (mm) |
|---|
| 50-55 mm |
| 55-60 mm |
| 60-65 mm |
| 65-70 mm |
| 70-75 mm |
| 75-80 mm |