According to FEPEX's Stonefruit Committee, formed by representatives of the associations from Spain's main production areas, a campaign marked of large volumes and high quality is expected for all stonefruit crops: peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries and plums. A general advance in the harvest of around four or five days compared to the 2013 campaign is also expected in most regions.
It has been confirmed that the favourable weather conditions to date, with virtually no frosts or incidents, have allowed for a good fruit development and predictions point to a campaign with large production volumes for the majority of fruits if the weather remains favourable. Average calibres are also expected to be larger.
Regarding the export markets, the fact that the volumes of Spanish or Italian fruit are increasingly saturating the European markets is forcing exporters to consider diversification to new markets like Asia, Russia, the Middle East, northern Africa or South America.
A steady growth of stonefruit exports to emerging markets in northern Africa, like Algeria, is being observed; "countries with increasing purchasing power which pose few logistic problems as a result of their relative proximity. Meanwhile, shipments to more distant markets, such as Brazil and Colombia in South America, or Asia, through Hong Kong, still require experience and knowledge about the market, as well as advances when it comes to fruit quality control during transport.
Increasing peach and nectarine acreage
Stonefruit crops are Spain's most popular non-citrus agricultural products. In 2013, the Spanish peach and nectarine acreage totalled 82,124 hectares, 3% more than in the previous year. Cherries reached 32,077 ha (-1%); apricots stood at 20,676 hectares (-2%); and the plum acreage amounted to 14,086 hectares (-7%), according the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.
Regarding export volumes in 2013, peach shipments totalled 342,055 tonnes; 21% more than in 2012, making 331 million Euro (+14%); nectarine exports stood at 406,908 tonnes (+15%) and were worth 423 million Euro (+23%); apricot exports totalled 61,763 tonnes (+47%) and made 92.4 million Euro (+70%); plums stood at 71,652 tonnes (-32%), with a 85 million Euro turnover (-15%); and cherries reached 26,394 tonnes (+2%), making 60.6 million Euro (-6% ), according to data provided by the Directorate General of Customs of the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness.