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Take a bite from a more sustainable apple, the coryphée
15
January
2021
Coryphée is a unique new apple variety, 100% Belgian, exclusively developed and grown for Colruyt Group. Firm and juicy with a sweet-sour taste. The consumers from the taste panel were in complete agreement: the coryphée is just delicious. An apple which never disappoints in taste and texture. Completely made in Belgium. In addition, the Coryphée is a sustainable apple, but what exactly does that mean?
Cooperation with loyal growers
No apples without growers. In this project we work with three of our most loyal suppliers: Neven Fruits in Waremme, Wolfcarius Fruit in Markegem and Gebroeders Bangels in Gingelom. The close cooperation between Colruyt Group and the growers offers the growers many advantages:
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Together we decided how many trees we planted and estimated the number of apples which would be harvested. Also in the long run, because the trees grow bigger every year and can bear more apples. The growers can sell their entire harvest in our stores. By doing so, we guarantee a fair price for the apples.
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This gives the growers a secure income and allows them to develop a profitable business. It enables them to invest and innovate.
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To protect the apple trees from extreme weather conditions such as hail or heat, together with the growers we invested in nets above the plantation.
Cultivated with respect for the environment
“Our goal: to optimally invest in the cultivation of Belgian apples. This way, we limit the import of foreign apples.”
The coryphée apple trees suit the Belgian climate and local soil very well. Additionally, they are more resistant to diseases, so they need less treatment.
Our growers work according to conventional agriculture with a ‘low residue’ touch, an intermediate step so to speak, on the way to organic agriculture. In the first half of the season, they treat the apple trees according to the standards of conventional agriculture to protect the orchard from possible diseases such as mould. In the second half of the season, on the other hand, growers follow the standards of organic farming. The result is an apple that contains little or no pesticides.
“Why should we bring over apples from New Zealand when we can produce apples with the same taste here? That is the future for me, or at least part of the future. The challenge is: how are we going to make our production and consumption sustainable with the entire chain? - Jef Colruyt (interview Gondola 01.10.2020)”
New harvest in the shop
The coryphée apple is exclusively available at Colruyt Lowest Prices & Collect&Go. We estimate that we will sell about 30 tonnes of this variety. The quantity will only increase in the coming years. And all of this under the Boni Selection label. After all, sustainability does not have to be expensive.
Was a new apple invented?
Several partners worked together to develop the new apple variety. In the first phase, we called on fruit breeders who specialise in developing new varieties. The Belgian breeder Zouk bvba set to work. Appearance, preservation, susceptibility to disease – a new apple variety is not developed overnight. The most important thing, of course, is the taste. A special taste panel was set up for this purpose. The coryphée was tested ... and approved!
The Belgian coryphée is a more sustainable apple variety. Growers can cultivate it in a more eco-friendly way while we guarantee sales and a fair price. Together we contribute to a better society and a better environment, step by step.
With this initiative, we contribute to the following Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
