Abundant Apple Harvest: What to Do With the Fruit and Where to Sell It?
Latvia is seeing a good but not record apple harvest this year; wet weather has brought scab, and small growers have limited options for selling their fruit.
Across Latvia, many home gardens are full of apple trees bending under the weight of fruit. According to agronomist Jānis Zilvers from the farming company “Pīlādži,” this year’s crop is good and possibly slightly above average, but not exceptional enough to be called a record harvest.
Several factors have contributed to the abundant appearance. The previous winter was stable, without major temperature swings, and there were almost no significant spring frosts. In addition, some apple varieties that tend to bear fruit every other year are producing again this season, having rested last year due to spring frosts in 2025.
Weather conditions, however, varied across the country. In Zemgale, in particular, some commercial orchard varieties suffered from long-lasting and severe frosts that reached as low as minus 32 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, wet weather in late spring and early summer has promoted the spread of apple scab in many areas. Last year’s damp summer also contributed, as infected leaves overwintered in orchards. Scab can affect fruit quality and reduce storage potential, so despite the trees looking heavy with apples, not all fruit will keep well.
Zilvers advises growers to first consider their own needs: apples can be turned into juice, used for other homemade products, or even fermented into cider for the next summer. If there is a surplus, it is possible to try selling to processors, but in Latvia practically only cider makers accept apples, and this market is quite small. Local buyers purchase smaller lots, while foreign buyers are interested in much larger quantities.
This year, demand from Poland could also play a role, as the country experienced severe winter and spring frosts. Polish buyers typically purchase batches of at least 20 tonnes, with prices ranging from 0.15 to 0.18 euros per kilogram. For owners of home orchards without tonne-scale volumes, it is usually easier to use the fruit themselves or supply a local processor. There is always a risk that not all produce will find a buyer, so growers should plan early rather than wait until the last moment.
