The effects of year, picking date and storage conditions on the chemical composition of the wax layer of three apple cultivars (‘Jonagold’, ‘Jonagored’ and ‘Elstar’) were investigated by means of GCMS and multivariate statistical techniques. Wax of apples with different surface characteristics also differed in chemical composition. Controlled atmosphere (CA) storage and subsequent shelf life affected wax properties and caused changes in the chemical composition, especially during shelf life