Apple harvest in Italy

Dried fruits | dried apples | conventional, EU organic and Bio Suisse

Due to the current harvest period of apples, we would like to introduce you to our long-standing partner VE.BA in Italy. 

"an apple a day ..."

VE.BA Cooperative Ortofrutticola S.C. was founded in 1971 by local farmers of apple plantations. The plantations are located in the very fruitful valley Po, just a few kilometres from the city of Ferrara.
 
The cooperation has about 120 members and is working in an area of about 400-500 hectares. VE.BA is processing about 15-20.000 tons of fresh fruits per year.
 
During the apple season VE.BA receives about 250 tons of fresh apples (Variety : Morgenduft) weekly. The apples are going through the process of washing, peeling (if required), coring and cutting, before they enter the drying tunnels. After  drying the apples are showing a remaining moisture of about 5%. If higher moisture is required, this can be adapted by re-hydration. The drying factor of apples is about 11 :1.
 
The apples with organic and Biosuisse quality are sourced from the Northern Part of Italy (Tirol). Today about 20% of the processed apples at VE.BA are EU organic, with a rising trend.
 
Following cutting sizes are available :
 

• Apple dices (6x6 / 10x10 / 15 x 15)
• Apple slices
• Apple flakes (8mm / 14mm)
• Apple granules / - flour

 
Moisture : 5% low moisture to 10-14% normal moisture and on demand higher
SO2 content : from 0 to max. 300ppm available
 
During the summer month VE.BA is also processing apricots, peaches, plums and  pears.
 
VE.BA is certified according to IFS and BRC and also for kosher.
 
Did we raise your interesst ? We are happy to support you further on our portfolio. 

Heidrun Frommherz
Product manager dried fruits