Michal Slawski, Horticulture Division, Bord Bia

National Bramley Week, took place from 9th – 15th of November and celebrated 200 years of the delicious and nutritious Bramley apple. The campaign included a consumer information campaign and the launch of new seasonal recipe suggestions. Bord Bia has also highlighted Bramley recipe suggestions on the Best In Season website.

Bramley’s Seedling, or Bramley for short, was originally planted by Mary Ann Brailsford at Southwell, England in 1809 and first widely cultivated in Ireland in the 1880’s. Its popularity grew steadily and today, the Bramley remains a favourite with professional chefs and home cooks alike due to its crisp flavor and versatility, equally at home in a savoury stir fry or a traditional apple pie.

Bramleys account for 266 hectares, some 46% of the total apple production area in Ireland of 579 hectares. Total culinary apple production is 7,000 tonnes representing 47% of total apple production.  Of this, 3,000 tonnes is sold into the slicing/puree market, 1,700 tonnes into the cider market, 1,700 tonnes into the fresh market and 600 tonnes into the juice market.

Bramley sales are growing in Ireland with the latest retail sales figures for the year to October 2009 showing an increase of 14% in volume with sales value topping €7.9m.

Penetration is the percentage of all Irish households who have purchased Bramleys at least once during the specified period. The increasing penetration is an encouraging sign, and ties in well with consumer trends that show an increase in home cooking.  Increased penetration also implies that younger consumers are using Bramley’s, which bodes well for the future.