Unlike in 2013, when frosts and harvest delays affecting the early varieties caused significant economic losses, APOEXPA (the Association of Producers and Exporters of Fruit, Table Grapes and Other Agricultural Products) expects this season's results to be really positive in terms of production volumes and fruit quality.
"The weather conditions have been quite favourable so far, with very mild temperatures, and this has resulted in the fruit developing truly well. We expect an excellent campaign in terms of production volumes, with an earlier start to the harvest compared to last year and fruit of an exceptional quality," says Joaquín Gómez, manager of APOEXPA.
"As long as nothing unexpected happens, the harvest will start on 25 April and the first nectarines, apricots and peaches will enter the market, reaching significant volumes from the first half of May. Afterwards, in mid-May, flat peaches will also be introduced."
Under these conditions, the Region of Murcia's production volumes are estimated to reach around 275,000 tonnes.