3.5.2023
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
C 156/29
The soil conditions of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County are excellent for apple production.
The soil and topographicalclimatic conditions of the natural geographical areas of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County have made it possible for apple and other fruit species native to temperate climates to be grown in an economically viable way in the county (Pethő, 2005).
Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County has the second largest alluvial plain in Hungary, which rises to a height of 20 to 50 metres from the Transtisza floodplain.
The humus content – around 2 % – and high calcium content of the chernozem soil which developed on the sandy loess soil on the flat parts of the alluvial plain, together with the light silt soil laid down by tributaries of the Tisza, are favourable for the planting of apple trees.
The number of hours of sunshine is between 1 950 and 2 050, which is some 300-400 hours more than in countries to the west and north of Hungary.
The county’s climatic conditions are therefore favourable to apple production.
In addition to sunshine, its climate is also influenced by oceanic, continental and Mediterranean air masses.
As a result, at times an oceanic and at other times a continental climate influence is dominant.
The growing season in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County starts 6-8 days later than in other counties in Hungary.
Summers are moderately warm, with an average July temperature of 20-23 °C.
In the autumn months, the daily average temperature is 1-2 °C lower than in the rest of the country due to higher night radiation, allowing the maturation process to be slowed down.
The internal qualities and enjoyment value of ‘Szabolcsi alma’ are determined primarily by environmental factors during ripening: temperature, sunlight and early morning moisture.
The relative humidity of the air is around 75 % during the summer months.
The higher relative humidity in September has an extremely beneficial effect on the colouring of the fruit and the pace of ripening.
The ripening process of ‘Szabolcsi alma’ is therefore slower and more of the various nutrients are incorporated into the fruit.
As a result, ‘Szabolcsi alma’ has a high sugar content: at least 12 °Brix for Gala, Red Delicious and Idared, and at least 13 °Brix for Jonathan, Jonagold, Golden Delicious and Pinova, depending on the variety.
It is the high sugar content which gives ‘Szabolcsi alma’ its sweetly acidic character.
In September the warm days, high relative humidity and night cooling together with early morning dew formation contribute significantly to the vibrant colouring of ‘Szabolcsi alma’ and to the development of high acidity and aromas, resulting in a sweetly acidic flavour.
The high calcium content of the soil means that the flesh of the fruit also has a higher calcium content, resulting in the crunchy flesh and firmness of at least 5,5 kg/cm2 of ‘Szabolcsi alma’.
In addition to having an ideal production area, growers in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County benefit from expertise stemming from experience accumulated over centuries, which has a positive impact on the production of ‘Szabolcsi alma’.
Expertise in the production of ‘Szabolcsi alma’ is passed down from generation to generation in the defined geographical area.
Crucial to the characteristics set out in point 3.2 is the up-to-date knowledge of producers in terms of varieties, the use of certified propagating material and apple cultivation.
The Újfehértó Research Station of the Fruit and Ornamental Plant Cultivation Research Institute has supported this for over 70 years with variety maintenance, the production of certified propagating material and the provision of expert advice.
The research station works on research into the ‘Szabolcsi alma’ production area, the registration of fruit trees, the cultivation and physiological study of apple varieties, and the development of varietal certification methods.
Fruit production has a centuries-old tradition in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County thanks to the beneficial soil and climatic conditions.
This is attested to in the works of the famous Ottoman traveller, Evliya Çelebi, who wrote in his volumes describing his travels in Hungary between 1660 and 1666 about the richness of the orchards in Szabolcs, the wealth of the growers and the extremely flavourful fruit.
He also describes the production of such an abundance of fruit in the area that it provided ample sustenance for the invading Ottoman armies.
After the Second World War, a large plantation scheme was launched, resulting in the creation of almost 50 % of the country’s apple plantations in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County, which account for more than half of the national output.