Maçã de Alcobaça IGP: The Strategic Asset Your Market Demands

Technical Differentiation and Superior Preservation at Melro
What earns this apple the reputation of being the crispest in the world is its exceptionally high firmness index—a direct result of the unique ecosystem nestled between the Candeeiros Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. At Melro, we maximize this natural potential through a state-of-the-art technological infrastructure:

• Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere (DCA): Our facility features 22 advanced cold storage rooms with the capacity to manage up to 10,000 tons of fruit. This technology suspends the ripening process without altering the fruit's natural organoleptic properties, ensuring a firm texture and excellent shelf-life months after harvest.
• ​Uncompromising Quality Control: Every batch is continuously monitored from reception to dispatch. We ensure that vital parameters such as size, coloration, and Brix levels (sugar content) strictly comply with the PGI specifications.
• Certified Food Safety: Safety is a non-negotiable pillar of our Quality Policy. We have maintained the prestigious international BRCGS certification since 2004, complemented by regular pesticide residue testing to offer absolute transparency and peace of mind to major distributors and retailers.

A Unique Terroir: Between the Sea and the Mountains
The identity of the Alcobaça Apple PGI is deeply rooted in the Western Region of Portugal. The natural mountain barrier traps the Atlantic winds and sea breeze, creating a microclimate characterized by morning mists and intense afternoon sunlight. This thermal amplitude, combined with rich soils, results in an intensity of color and a balanced flavor profile unmatched across the European fruit sector.

Preservation and Sustainability: This heritage is safeguarded by APMA (Association of Alcobaça Apple Producers). Founded in 2001, the association manages the PGI and drives technical-scientific development, ensuring sustainable agricultural practices that respect biodiversity and modern market demands.​

Your Strategic Commercial Partner in Portugal
Choosing the Alcobaça Apple PGI through Melro guarantees a stable supply chain, total traceability, and the technical excellence required by the world's most demanding retail channels.
We bridge the historical legacy of Cistercian agronomist monks with tomorrow's agricultural engineering to deliver logistical efficiency, premium quality, and the crispest apple on the market.