Abundant apple harvests drive local production and sales in Sweden and Finland

A bountiful apple harvest is prompting various individuals and small businesses across Sweden and Finland to find creative ways to manage fruit surpluses.

In Sweden, Elin Gunnarsson and Christian Örnberg operate Sydkustens gårdsbryggeri och musteri near Trelleborg. After experiencing a massive three-ton harvest in 2018, they established a professional cider and mustery facility. Their business allows locals to bring in excess fruit to be transformed into juice, helping to prevent waste.

In Finland, the Witick family in Borgå is utilizing their large apple trees to generate small earnings. Children Minea and Ella Witick collect fallen apples to sell to passersby. Meanwhile, in Lappträsk, biologist Gun-Britt Husberg manages over 400 apple trees. She uses her extensive orchard for research, including grafting and crossing varieties, while processing the surplus into apple cake and must.