Approx. 500 agricultural businesses are located in Lana, harvesting
a total of about 70,000 tonnes of apples each year. The
350 members of Lanafruit alone produce some 55,000 tonnes
grown on approx. 900 hectares. The harvest starts on 15th August,
when the sweet red Gala apples are ripe, and ends in November
when the juicy, sweet and sour Pink Lady variety is ready to be
harvested.
Norbert Schnitzer, foreman at Lanafruit, is proud to be part
of South Tyrol’s leading apple community. “But sure, it’s a lot of
hard work”, the 65-year-old admits. Back in 2009, the two cooperatives
Pomus and Lana Frucht merged (Lana Frucht had previously
already merged with Ogol), forming what is now known as Lanafruit. The cooperative is responsible for storing, sorting and
selling the apples produced. The farmers get all the money they
make once the expenses have been deducted from the total revenue.
Total sales amount to approx. 35 to 40 million euros per
year, of which approx. 20 million go to the Lanafruit members.