SOUTH AFRICA – The Maribelle apple, known for its slightly sweet, aromatic flavor and green-yellow skin with a pink blush, is now being tested in South Africa.
This variety, which has been a top performer in Europe, could offer significant benefits to South African apple producers.
Jan van Ingen, general manager of Treequattro, a Dutch company that manages the Maribelle variety, highlights its impressive track record. “Maribelle has achieved the highest returns per hectare in Europe, thanks to its high yield and minimal diversion to the juice market,” he explains.
While European apple production averages between 50 to 60 tons per hectare, Maribelle yields between 80 to 85 tons per hectare, with some regions reporting up to 100 tons per hectare. Notably, less than 2% of Maribelle apples are used for juice, compared to up to 15% for other varieties.
Danie Heyns, a plant-certifying technician with the South African Plant Improvement Organisation Trust, believes that Maribelle could greatly benefit local growers. “In South Africa, a higher percentage of apples end up as juice due to sunburn issues,” he notes. Maribelle’s resistance to russet and tolerance to common fungal diseases make it a strong candidate for South African conditions.
Van Ingen attributes Maribelle’s high packouts to its non-oxidative nature, meaning the flesh remains white after slicing. This trait makes Maribelle ideal for fresh consumption and value-added products like fruit salads.
“McDonald’s uses Maribelle in its salads and is one of our biggest clients,” he adds. The apple’s low input requirements align with Treequattro’s goal of providing varieties that remain viable as certain pesticides and chemicals are phased out by 2028.
The variety’s growth characteristics, such as its vigorous growth and strong branch structure, could help South African nurseries provide robust trees.
Van Ingen advises against pushing the trees too hard in their initial years, as this could limit their potential and possibly harm the trees.
In Europe, Maribelle is often grown on dwarfing rootstocks due to the high-quality soils. However, in South Africa, more vigorous rootstocks might be needed due to less fertile soil.
The trees are managed using a SolAxe system to maximize fruit quality and yield and are pruned similarly to Golden Delicious apples to ensure good light penetration.
Though Maribelle was introduced to South Africa in 2014, adoption has been slow as farmers remain cautious about new varieties. Heyns notes, “Farmers want to see proven performance and market potential before fully committing.”
Treequattro is addressing these concerns by testing Maribelle among retailers and consumers to gauge demand before broad commercial release.
With about 200 hectares of Maribelle planted in Europe, including 50 hectares organically, Van Ingen aims to increase available volumes.
The apples ripen around mid-March in South Africa, ideally positioning them for the European market starting in April.
Maribelle’s long shelf life and flexibility in packaging options enhance its appeal for international markets, including China, Hong Kong, South Korea, India, and Vietnam.
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