Germany's Edeka Introduces Certified Organic Apple Juice

German retailer Edeka has launched organic apple juice with Artenschutz-Plus (Species Protection Plus) certification and the Landwirtschaft für Artenvielfalt (Agriculture for biodiversity) logo.

The juice is made from organic cider apples sourced from an orchard in Diedrichshagen managed by Sonnländer Bio Obst GmbH - a subsidiary of Edeka.

Landwirtschaft für Artenvielfalt (Agriculture for Biodiversity) Project is a joint initiative by the WWF and Edeka to promote biodiversity in organic farms across Germany.

Rolf Lange, head of corporate communication at Edekam, said, “The fact that Sonnländer fulfils the additional criteria of Landwirtschaft für Artenvielfalt (Agriculture for biodiversity) is an important step in our commitment to protecting species. We are pleased to now be able to offer consumers the first product from this programme available nationwide.”

Dr Marina Beermann, head of the partnership at WWF, commented, “As part of the partnership for sustainability between Edeka and WWF, the range of organic products with recognised certification is being continuously expanded. It is also the goal to develop standards further.”

Measures For Better Biodiversity

Sonnländer has implemented several measures for improving biodiversity around its orchards, where apples are grown organically.

The company has created flowering areas that act as a natural habitat and source of food wild bees, butterflies and other insects.

It has planted a range of annual and perennial flowers along the borders of the orchards.

Sonnländer has installed insect hotels, bundles of stems and dead wood in areas with fewer trees to create a suitable environment for nesting of wild bees.

Dr Beermann explained, “When there is buzzing and buzzing in the meadow and field, it also benefits birds such as red-backed shrike or tree pipit and other animals such as lizards and frogs. Biodiversity is thus promoted and becomes an integral part of production.”