European production set to recover this season, although doubts remain over eventual size of French crop
This year’s European apricot production is forecast at around 505,000 tonnes, up 6 per cent on 2025, and 3 per cent higher compared with the 2020-2024 average.
However, the estimate, which follows a major drop in output last season, could end up just 2 per cent larger at 485,000 tonnes if a more conservative estimate in France is confirmed.
As reported by CSO Italy, the first forecasts were presented by Europêch this week at the Medfel trade fair in Perpignan.
And as CSO’s Laura Stocchi confirmed, the emerging picture is one of recovery compared with 2025, albeit impacted by weather conditions.
Last year, production in the four main producing countries stalled at 476,000 tonnes, down 15 per cent from 563,000 in 2024, due to adverse weather conditions.
In 2026, conditions were apparently more favourable overall, with limited frost, although rainfall during flowering did negatively affect fruit set and prevent some fruit from fully realising its production potential.
The exception appears to be Greece, where a lack of frost and a mild, regular spring should mean it harvests approximately 95,000 tonnes, up 40 per cent year on year, and a 20 per cent increase on 2020-2025.
In Italy, production is estimated at around 194,000 tonnes, essentially stable compared with last year (+1 per cent) but slightly below the longer-term average.
Flowering was generally positive, according to CSO, and although there was a recovery in northern regions, rainfall caused significant variability in fruit load, and a slight decline is expected in the south.
In Spain, production is estimated at around 110,000 tonnes, down 7 per cent on 2025, with the main decreases expected in Murcia and Aragon.
A reduction in planted area, rainfall during flowering, and frosts at the end of March, which caused localized damage, were the main factors in that anticipated decline.
In France, finally, production is forecast to reach approximately 106,000 tonnes, an 8 per cent annual increase.
However, according to AOP Pêches et Abricots de France, the harvest could be 10-15 per cent lower due to low production levels linked to rainfall during flowering.
