The Minister of Agriculture’s statistical officials noted that in September, apples were negotiated at 15% less than the 5 year average. The causes : the weather and the fact the consumer is still drawn to summer fruits; a European harvest 9% higher than last year and the Russian embargo which has swamped the markets.
Agreste states that “Poland, the main European supplier of the Russian market, will see their production grow by 12% over a year and 36% compared to the 5 year average.
However, in France, harvest on the 1st October was 3% lower at 1.69 million tons compared to 2013. Last year, French apple production went back to its normal levels following a disastrous 2012 harvest (one third down) notably due to frost.