Apples have been grown in Ireland for thousands of years. In fact, Ireland has a long and rich history of apple cultivation dating back to the early medieval period.
Today, apples are the most widely grown fruit crop in Ireland. The main varieties grown are cooking apples like Bramley and cider apples. There are also some orchards growing eating or dessert apples.
Ideal Conditions for Growing Apples
Ireland offers ideal climatic conditions for apple cultivation The mild, moist climate and fertile soils provide a great environment for apple trees to thrive
Apple trees need sufficient chill hours during winter dormancy. Ireland gets enough winter chill to meet the requirements of most apple varieties. The lack of extreme cold helps avoid frost damage to flowers and buds.
The high rainfall in Ireland does pose some disease challenges like apple scab. But with good management practices, healthy crops can be grown. Disease-resistant varieties are also being adopted.
The Growth of the Irish Apple Industry
Commercial apple growing began in Ireland in the 1700s. Over the centuries, production was centered in Armagh, Dublin, Meath and other southeastern counties.
The main varieties grown historically were culinary apples like Bramley and Grenadier. These were well-suited to making apple pies, crumbles and other cooked apple dishes popular in Irish cuisine.
In recent decades, there has been growing interest in commercial orchards of eating apples. This is driven by increasing domestic demand for fresh, high-quality apples.
Total apple production is around 25,000 – 30,000 tonnes annually. But Ireland still imports over 90% of its fresh apple consumption. So there is potential for import substitution.
Expanding the Eating Apple Market
To tap into the potential of the Irish eating apple market, growers are adopting modern high-density orchards. These trellised orchards allow higher yields and fruit quality.
New scab-resistant varieties like Dalinette and Ozark Gold are also being planted. These produce blemish-free fruits ideal for the fresh market.
Teagasc, the Irish agriculture authority, has established a new research orchard to evaluate apple varieties suited for Ireland’s growing conditions and consumer preferences.
The results will help guide Irish growers on the best apple varieties and production techniques to profitably expand the Irish eating apple industry.
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Apples are grown in Ireland for four main uses: cider, juicing, culinary (cooking apples) and dessert (eating apples). While the cider and juicing markets have relatively low value, eating apples represent a high-value crop.
At around just 3,000t of annual native production, over 90% of our market is met with imports.
The domestic retail market for eating apples is worth €135m, and the potential for import substitution with locally grown apples is significant.
The Irish Farmers Journal visited the newly established Teagasc apple research orchard at its crop research centre in Oak Park, Carlow, late last year. The orchard was planted in April 2023. This new research programme represents a significant milestone in the development of the apple sector in Ireland.
Market opportunity
I met the new Teagasc fruit research officer, Alberto Ramos Luz, and the head of the horticulture department, Dermot Callaghan, when I visited the orchard. They explained that the Irish climate is suitable for growing apples, and there are new varieties and technologies available for evaluation and adoption in an Irish climate.
While a small number of specialised growers in Ireland grow eating apples, there remains a knowledge gap on agronomy and varieties specific to Ireland.
If the sector is to develop, then the right choice of variety, rootstock and training system will be fundamental to achieving high-yield efficiency, high fruit quality, and, consequently, good profitability for existing and new fruit growers.
Therefore, a robust research programme is essential, and it is hoped that this research could be the catalyst for the development of the eating apple sector in Ireland.
The research programme is expected to deliver essential preliminary data for the future recommendation of apple tree genotypes and high-efficiency production models to achieve high yields, quality and reduced labour costs. Teagasc fruit research officer Alberto Ramos Luz.
The aim of this programme is to increase the native eating market by approximately €30m per annum at the farm gate.
Trellis system
The orchard uses a trellis system; a common technique used in modern high-density, high-yielding orchards. A trellis support system uses rows of posts and wires to support the weight of the trees and fruit.
The one-hectare orchard in Oak Park used 400 concrete posts, each 5m in length, driven 80cm into the ground. Five high-tensile wires are strung around each post, providing support for the growing branches. As the branches develop, they are trained to follow the cables.
There are just a handful of trellis systems in commercial production in Ireland
This system differs significantly from the conventional approach to establishing orchards, which is likely to be what most readers are familiar with.
There are just a handful of trellis systems in commercial production in Ireland.
A 2m gap will be left between the rows of trees to allow for managing the orchard, machinery, and harvesting. This type of system will also allow for robotic harvesting of apples when the technology is commercially viable. 
As the branches develop, they are trained to follow the cables. The one hectare orchard in Oak Park used 400 concrete posts, 5m in length, driven 80cm into the ground.
Alberto explained that they are also trialling a unique V-trellis system, which is said to have the highest yield potential but is not yet being used in Ireland.
Why the trellis system?
High-density orchards using trellises for support are initially more expensive to establish than traditional planting, but are more efficient and profitable over their production life.
A trellis encourages trees to put energy into fruit production instead of producing wood by providing a uniform fixed structure for support which also promotes uniform growth.
Light is crucial for eating apples, as it is necessary for their ripening process. Trellis systems allow for more even ripening of apples and greater light interception.
Eating apples produced by a tree are categorised into different grades. Class one represents the highest quality and may account for 30% to 40% of the total apple yield in a traditional orchard. However, in a trellis system, class one grades can reach as high as 90%: a substantial improvement.
Modern trellis orchards can yield approximately 60t/ha to 70t/ha, making it imperative to maximise the production of class one apples. The system is also useful for reducing labour costs and encouraging more uniform pruning, training, and thinning. A trellis support system uses posts and wires to support the weight of the trees and fruit.
Varieties
In total, 2,700 trees were planted in the orchard, which includes 48 different varieties.
These trees will grow to around 3m in height. The orchard was planted in a dry field, and irrigation is available if needed.
Ireland has a good growing climate for apples, but due to our high rainfall, problems with scab can occur, which can impact the marketability of the product. They have around 20 varieties planted in the orchard that are scab-resistant, and these will be evaluated for the Irish market. A trellis encourages trees to put energy into fruit production instead of producing wood.
The consumer has a positive perception of Irish apples, and there is favourable consumer behaviour towards healthy eating and short supply chains, so the opportunity for import displacement is real.
However, make no mistake, modern orchards are not small add-ons to a farm; they are an entirely separate enterprise in their own right and need to be treated as such.
They will require substantial investment, meticulous care and agronomic expertise.
Keep in mind that you’re producing a high-quality crop for sale at the retail level, and standards are high. Disease control, especially for scab, which is common in Ireland and can mark the skin, is absolutely crucial. Trellis systems allow for a more even ripening of apples and greater light interception.
Planting and producing the crop is only one part of it. In many cases, the eating apple producers may have to develop their own route to market, which involves grading, processing, storing and packaging the crop, all of which require additional investment, time, and risk. However, grant aid of up to 40% is available to help with these costs, and with such a significant market opportunity on the island, it’s a risk worth considering.
Typically, an orchard has a lifespan of around 15 years, after which it needs replanting.
It usually takes four years from planting before you can expect a commercial crop. It’s likely a minimum viable size of around 20 acres is needed to make the investment viable, but this is situation-specific.
With that said, as a result of the investment in the new research orchard and programme by Oak Park, many risks could be reduced over the coming years.
Furthermore, as more new growers establish their orchards, there is scope for an industry-led producer organisation, similar to those in other horticulture sectors. The trellis system in Oak Park.
Do Apples Grow In Ireland? – Discovering Ireland Now
FAQ
Are apples native to Ireland?
Can apple trees grow in Ireland?
While our climate is not optimal, it is suitable for growing apples of certain varieties successfully in certain geographical locations. Suitable areas stretch along the east coast from Louth, down to west Waterford, and inland to Kilkenny and Tipperary.
Does Ireland have apple orchards?
The Apple Farm near Cahir, County Tipperary, is open all year round. Call in, take a walk around the grounds, try some of the delicious produce, and relax.
What fruit is native to Ireland?
Several fruits are native to Ireland, including apples, cherries, plums, strawberries, raspberries, bilberries, blackberries, and sloes. Specifically, the wild apple (fiaduball in old Irish) is mentioned as being particularly significant.