Apal Sideri is a Rising Star at Vinmonopolet
2024 has been a record-breaking year for Apal Sideri, where they have not only strengthened their po…
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The summer weather has presented challenges for both fruit producers and Fruktpakkeriet (the fruit packing facility) in Årdal. This year, they have started producing a new product that is helping local producers get more value out of this year’s harvest.
Hailstorms have caused cosmetic damage to a large portion of this year’s apples, which has driven down the prices for pressing fruit. To address this challenge, Fruktpakkeriet in Årdal has begun producing Ryfylkejuice, specifically targeted at hotels, canteens, and large kitchens. They expect to produce 100,000 liters this year but have the capacity to produce even more. This is an important initiative that allows local producers to get better returns on fruit that would otherwise have been sold at very low prices.
«We want to ensure that our producers get the most value out of their fruit.» – Agnar Apeland, Managing Director at Ryfylkefrukt SA.
Since the start in 2017, Fruktpakkeriet in Årdal has increased its production from 160-170 tons to 800 tons last year, and they expect to soon reach between 1,000 and 1,200 tons annually. Although the facility has fewer employees than usual this year due to the condition of the fruit, the increased juice production helps maintain activity throughout the season. With fruit from 34 producers, from Jelsa in the north to Hovsherad in the south, around 300 tons of apples will be packed for retail this year, while the rest will go to pressing.
Such solutions can strengthen sustainable value creation in the region’s food production and also provide new opportunities for local actors like Apal Sideri. By renting the pressing of his apples in Årdal, Dan Olav Sæbø avoids the need to invest in his own press, giving him both economic advantages and more flexible logistics. This ensures a smoother production process and helps strengthen local collaboration in the region. Through our collaboration with Ryfylkefrukt SA, which owns Fruktpakkeriet in Årdal, TEAL actively contributes to this development through Næringshageprogrammet.
Read more in the article by Strandbuen (behind a paywall and only in Norwegian).