European stonefruit volumes fall

European stonefruit figures released at last week’s Europêch’ conference in Perpignan show significant declines in apricot production in France and Spain, while peach and nectarine output is lower than last year across the continent and characterised mainly by a late start.

In Spain, orchard renewal of traditional apricot variety Bulida has been slow in the principal growing area of Murcia and the picture is one of a sector on the wane. This season, output is forecast to reach 70,000 tonnes, some 20 per cent down on last year and 29 per cent below the five-year average. The crop has also suffered from rainfall and frost during blossoming, which hindered pollination and destroyed flowers.

In France, the picture is the opposite in terms of massive investment in new varieties. But the effects of the weather in late March during the bloom period have hit output, which is expected to reach 170,000t, some 10 per cent below last year and 15 per cent below the five-year average.

Italy and Greece have not suffered the same devastating spring conditions and consequently Greek apricot output has improved to the tune of 35 per cent on last season to 70,000t and Italy’s by five per cent, to 230,000t.

Peaches and nectarines from across the continent have suffered from a delay in plant development of up to two weeks.

However, some growers report that trees have been catching up since the end of April which, although too late to have an impact on early varieties, should bring forward start dates for some later cultivars.

Spanish growers are expecting their output to fall by nine per cent on last year and impact on the early types should open the market for other suppliers in what remains of May, before Spanish supply comes up to strength in June.

In Italy, rock bottom returns last season have hampered investment and the crop this year is forecast at three per cent down on last and nine per cent below the five-year average.

In France, slow plant development because of the cold winter worked in favour of peach and nectarine trees, limiting the damage when late frosts and rain struck in March. Nevertheless, the crop is still expected to fall on last season’s levels, by 11 per cent.