First Batch of Portugal’s Royal Gala Apples Did Not Achieve Desired Colour
Fresh Apple
Portugal
Sustainability & Environmental Impact
Market & Price Trends
Ricardo Lopes
Published Sep 9, 2022
A true Royal Gala needs to have at least 50% of the apple’s thin skin with a deep red colour, while being naturally lightly striped too. Due to the drought experienced in Portugal, the first batch of apples harvested in the mountain areas were not able to reach the desired deep red colour, although having the coloration %, thus making them more similar with the Fuji apple produced in countries like China. The lack of deep red colour caused the perception of inferior quality, especially in the Middle Eastern markets.
However the humidity observed in the last 2 weeks with foggy days, and early morning dew, allowed the apple trees to add more colour concentration, with apples now within the parameters that are typical of the Royal Gala variety. Producers are now more confident they will be able to receive good value for their Gala production in export markets.
Attached picture is an example of the first apples harvested on 25 August with undesired colouration.
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