Blue Whale ends season with record turnover

FRANCE – French cooperative, Blue Whale, has wrapped up its apple season with impressive financial results, marking a record turnover across all its markets.

 “This season has been defined by a good harvest both in terms of volume and quality,” said Marc Peyres, commercial director at Blue Whale.

“However, none of this would have been possible without the work we have carried out for years on innovation in order to adapt to changing conditions and market expectations.”

The company attributes its success to the hard work and professionalism of its team, from farmers to marketers. Varieties like Candine, Coeur de Reine, and Pink Lady were particularly noteworthy this season.

Candine saw a tripling of sales due to its popularity in Asia, Coeur de Reine doubled its sales in France, and Pink Lady experienced a 30% increase in global sales.

Looking ahead, innovation remains a key driver for Blue Whale. “90% of the varieties we sell today didn’t exist 35 years ago,” Peyres noted.

He emphasized the importance of continuous efforts to prepare for the future while supporting successful varieties like Pink Lady, Coeur de Reine, and Candine.

Ensuring the supply of quality fruit throughout the year is a priority for Blue Whale®. The cooperative is working on extending production schedules with late-ripening varieties, investing in cold storage, and optimizing processes from harvest to packaging.

Sustainable orchard management is also crucial to maintaining stable volumes and quality, especially in light of extreme weather events.

“We must be ready for climate change and ensure the protection of crops,” Peyres stated. Blue Whale is leading the ambitious (Ré)Génération Fruit research project to develop more sustainable growing techniques.

This includes restructuring its organic range to match actual demand, particularly in France, to ensure profitability for its farmers.

In addition to its extensive range of apples, Blue Whale® is diversifying its catalogue with premium pears, kiwis, plums, and seedless table grapes.

This new fruit segment has already generated over 40 million Euros in turnover and is expected to grow further in the next five years.

Strong Sales in Spain

Last year, Blue Whale reported robust sales of Envy and Candine apples in Spain this season. Despite the challenges posed by a heatwave, Envy sales tripled, exceeding expectations.

“Envy is a crunchy and sweet apple with a very consistent flavor, something that Spanish consumers value in a special way,” Peyres explained.

Candine also performed well, particularly in Asian markets. Sales in Asia, led by China, increased sixfold this season. With production expected to grow significantly next season, Blue Whale® has high expectations for Candine in future campaigns.

Despite challenges such as heatwaves and droughts affecting early season varieties like Fuji and Royal Gala, later varieties like Pink Lady and Joya remained largely unaffected. This resulted in a fluid market in southern Europe, while northern markets experienced pressure.

With an annual turnover of €300 million (USD 321.56 million), Blue Whale produces 240,000 tons of apples on over 5,500 hectares, exporting to 72 countries worldwide.

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