European protected status a ‘game-changer' for Armagh Bramley apple growers
It means that only Bramley apples grown, picked and packed within the Armagh area can carry that name, similar to how Champagne must come from the Champagne region of France, or Parma ham from Italy's Parma province.
The pride of the Orchard County obtained the status in 2012 and since then has given its growers a 'real edge'.
Armagh traces its relationship with apples back to evidence of them growing close to the historic Navan Fort as far back as 1000 BC.
The real turning point came in 1884 when Henry Joseph Nicholson of Crannagael House returned from Nottingham with 60 Bramley seedlings.
They thrived in the local soil, laying the foundation for what is now more than 4,000 acres of thriving orchards across the region, and the county's nickname.
This legacy is celebrated at Armagh's annual food and cider weekend every September putting the Bramley in the spotlight.
Greg MacNeice, a fifth-generation apple grower and founder of Mac Ivors Cider, said while Bramley apples have always been a local favourite, PGI status boosted demand.
'The orchards have been here at Ardress since 1855 and my father, Sammy, still helps – just like his father did. Apples are part of who we are,' he said.
He explained that Armagh has got the right soil, the right slopes, a mild, damp climate and cooler temperatures that slow things down, adding that helps the apples develop 'that sharp flavour and firm texture people love'.
'It's not just the conditions though – it's the generations of knowledge, care and pride that go into every crop,' he said.
'PGI status has helped protect the heritage of our apple and given us a real edge in the market.
'If it's not grown in Armagh, it's not a true Armagh Bramley. That means consumers are guaranteed something authentic – fruit with a unique taste and texture you can't find anywhere else. It's also boosted demand – both at home and abroad – for a product that is trusted, traceable and rooted in place.
'It's one of only three products in Northern Ireland with PGI status and one of just a few across the island of Ireland. That's something we're incredibly proud of as a region.'
The apples also sparked a craft cider industry in Armagh.
Mr MacNeice said his family grow and press a blend of Armagh Bramley alongside bittersweet cider apples like Michelin, Dabinett and Harry Master's Jersey, as well as dessert apples such as Worcester Pearmain and Golden Delicious.
They have also started using foliar nutrition to feed their trees more precisely, keeping bees safe during blossom season, and are encouraging biodiversity by planting native trees and wildflowers throughout the orchards.
The Armagh Bramley apple continues to shape the landscape and identity of the region, offering visitors a unique lens through which to explore its agricultural heritage.
This year's food and cider weekend, including events from tastings and guided food trails to orchard tours, will take place from September 4 to 7.
A highlight of the weekend is an evening at Crannagael House, where local chefs from 4 Vicars create a menu paired with Mac Ivors cider and accompanied by insights from cider expert Gabe Cook.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
4 hours ago
- Reuters
Swiss president meets with US Secretary of State Rubio for last-minute trade talks
ZURICH, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday with Washington potentially seeking more energy and defence exports as part of a deal that would avert a crippling 39% U.S. tariff on Swiss goods. Switzerland was stunned by President Donald Trump's decision last week to apply the steep rate - among the highest announced since he launched his global trade reset - which threatens to inflict major damage on its export-orientated economy. Keller-Sutter and Business Minister Guy Parmelin flew to Washington on Tuesday for last-minute negotiations aimed at reducing the tariffs before they go into effect on Thursday. The Trump administration, meanwhile, is pushing for Switzerland to buy more energy and defence products, according to a Swiss source familiar with the discussions. Parmelin had already raised the possibility of Switzerland buying U.S. liquefied natural gas as one of the options to secure a better deal. "Look at the European Union, they promised to buy LNG. Switzerland imports LNG too — maybe that's one path," Parmelin said over the weekend. Under a deal the EU struck with Washington last month to secure a 15% tariff rate, Brussels agreed to buy $750 billion worth of LNG, oil, and nuclear energy products over the next three years. And while the EU made no formal pledge to buy more U.S. arms, it did indicate to U.S. negotiators that U.S. suppliers would benefit from an increase in defence spending in line with higher NATO commitments agreed under pressure from Trump. Both concessions, along with a pledge to invest more in the U.S., were seen as important in clinching a deal, said a person familiar with the U.S.-EU negotiations. Switzerland already purchases some military hardware from the U.S. and has placed a 6-billion-franc ($7.43-billion) order to buy Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), opens new tab F-35A Lightning II fighter jets. While the Swiss government is focused on sweetening its offer to Washington and says it is not planning countermeasures against the U.S. tariffs, some Swiss politicians have called for the F-35 deal to be scrapped over the trade dispute. Keller-Sutter's meeting with Rubio was expected to last one hour and start at 10:15 a.m. (1415 GMT), according to the State Department's public schedule. "There are currently no plans to meet President Trump, but the situation could change," a Swiss government official said. Earlier on Wednesday, Keller-Sutter and her team met with Swiss business leaders including Roche (ROG.S), opens new tab Chairman Severin Schwan as well as Alfred Gantner and Marcel Erni, founders of Swiss private equity firm Partners Group (PGHN.S), opens new tab. The group, which also included Daniel Jaeggi, president of global energy and commodity company Mercuria, spoke about the tariffs situation, the government said without giving further details. Further meetings are planned with executives from other Swiss companies present in the United States. "We greatly appreciate the tireless commitment of the Federal Council and the Federal Administration," said Noe Blancpain, executive board member of Swiss industry association Swissmem. The U.S. is a leading buyer for Swiss watches, machinery and chocolate. Those industries and others will suffer if the 39% rate - much higher than those secured by the EU, Britain and Japan - is implemented, with business associations warning that tens of thousands of Swiss jobs are at risk. Swiss cheese producers, for example, are bracing for a steep drop in sales in the United States, which bought 11% of Swiss cheese exports like Gruyere and Emmentaler last year, due to the tariffs. "The taxes are enormous," Anthony Margot, a fifth-generation cheese maturer, told Reuters. "We can't replace a market like the United States overnight." The blue chip Swiss Market Index was down 1% in early afternoon trading on Wednesday ahead of the introduction of tariffs. Following talks with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Switzerland had agreed a draft agreement with the United States in early July that was reported to include a 10% tariff rate. Trump's U-turn on Friday, however, followed what some U.S. officials said was a fraught telephone call with Keller-Sutter. Swiss sources said the call was not a success, but denied there was a falling out between the two leaders. Claude Maurer, chief economist at Swiss think tank BAK Economics, said it did not matter who the Swiss officials met with on the first day, as long as the delegation wins over Trump. "Trump's team and the Swiss negotiators apparently already struck a deal. So it's in their mutual interest to get it over the line with Trump himself," said Maurer. "Whoever is best positioned to make that happen will be important." ($1 = 0.8080 Swiss francs)
Reuters
8 hours ago
- Reuters
Swiss president to meet US Secretary of State Rubio for last-minute trade talks
ZURICH, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter will meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday with Washington potentially seeking more energy and defence purchases to clinch a deal that would avert a crippling 39% tariff on Swiss imports. Switzerland was stunned by U.S. President Donald Trump's decision last week to apply the steep rate - among the highest announced since he launched his global trade reset - which threatens to do major damage to its export-orientated economy. Keller-Sutter and Business Minister Guy Parmelin flew to Washington on Tuesday for last-minute negotiations aimed at reducing the tariffs before they go into effect on Thursday. The Trump administration, meanwhile, is looking for Switzerland to purchase more energy and defence products, according to a Swiss source familiar with the discussions. Parmelin had already raised the possibility of Switzerland buying U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) as one of the options to secure a better deal. "Look at the European Union, they promised to buy LNG. Switzerland imports LNG too — maybe that's one path," Parmelin said. Under a deal the EU struck with Washington last month to secure a 15% tariff rate, Brussels agreed to buy $750 billion of LNG, oil, and nuclear energy products over the next three years. Although the EU made no formal commitment to buy more U.S. arms, it did indicate to U.S. negotiators there would be an increase in defence spending in line with higher NATO commitments, which would benefit U.S. suppliers. These commitments were seen as important in clinching a deal, said a person familiar with the U.S.-EU negotiations. Switzerland already purchases some military hardware from the U.S. and has placed a 6-billion-franc ($7.43-billion) order to buy Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), opens new tab F-35A Lightning II fighter jets. While the Swiss government is focused on sweetening its offer to Washington and says it is not planning countermeasures against the U.S. tariffs, some Swiss politicians have called for the F-35 deal to be scrapped over the trade dispute. Keller-Sutter, who is leading a delegation of officials, will meet with Rubio for one hour of talks at the State Department at 10:15 a.m. (1415 GMT), according to the public schedule of the department. The Swiss government declined to comment on the meeting or whether other meetings with U.S. officials were planned. Following talks with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Switzerland had agreed a draft agreement with the United States in early July that was reported to include a 10% tariff rate. Trump's U-turn on Friday, however, followed what some U.S. officials said was a fraught telephone call with Keller-Sutter. Swiss sources said the call was not a success, but denied there was a falling out between the two leaders. The United States is a leading buyer for Swiss watches, machinery and chocolate, industries that will suffer if the 39% rate - much higher than those secured by the EU, Britain and Japan - is implemented. Switzerland's business community has welcomed the efforts by Bern to break the tariff impasse, which industry associations say threatens tens of thousands of Swiss jobs. "We greatly appreciate the tireless commitment of the Federal Council and the Federal Administration and welcome the efforts to find a solution with the United States," said Noe Blancpain, executive board member of industry association Swissmem. Claude Maurer, chief economist at Swiss think tank BAK Economics, said it did not matter who the Swiss officials met with on the first day, as long as the delegation wins over Trump. "Trump's team and the Swiss negotiators apparently already struck a deal. So it's in their mutual interest to get it over the line with Trump himself," said Maurer. "Whoever is best positioned to make that happen will be important." ($1 = 0.8080 Swiss francs)
Reuters
13 hours ago
- Reuters
Exports of oil products by private Indian refiners
NEW DELHI, Aug 6 (Reuters) - India's exports of refined fuel are in the spotlight after last month's European Union sanctions while U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened a tariff hike over its oil purchases from Russia. The South Asian nation became the top buyer of Russian seaborne crude after Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Private refiners Reliance Industries ( opens new tab and Nayara are Russia's top Indian oil clients, trade data shows. India's state refiners have stopped Russian oil purchases as the discounts narrowed and Trump warned countries not to by Moscow's oil, industry sources said. From January 21, the EU will stop direct imports of fuels made from Russian oil. Here are details of fuel exports from India's two big private refiners. Nayara, recently sanctioned by the European Union, exported nearly 3 million tons of refined fuel in the first half of 2025, data from trade sources showed, or 30% of its total output. Swiss-based trader Vitol was the top buyer of refined products from Nayara, including diesel and gasoline, for discharge in the United Arab Emirates and West Africa, the data showed. Other buyers included Aramco Trading, Shell (SHEL.L), opens new tab, and BP (BP.L), opens new tab. Nayara was forced to cut output at its 400,000-barrel-per-day refinery at the western port of Vadinar due to difficulties in securing ships for exports after the sanctions, Reuters reported. The refiner, majority-owned by Russian entities including oil major Rosneft ( opens new tab, sells about 70% of its refined fuels in India through more than 6,600 retail outlets, it said in a Delhi court filing. Reliance, operator of the world's largest refining complex at Jamnagar, is a much bigger exporter. Controlled by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, Reliance exported 21.66 million tons of refined products in the first six months of 2025 to buyers such as BP (BP.L), opens new tab, Exxon Mobil (XOM.N), opens new tab, Glencore(GLEN.L), opens new tab, Vitol and Trafigura, the data showed. Europe takes the biggest chunk, or 28%, of Reliance's exports, according to the data analysed by Reuters. The table shows exports by Nayara Energy and Reliance Industries between January and June 2025, according to data obtained from sources. Units are 1,000 tons. Note: Totals may not tally due to rounding-off.
