EU apricot estimate down 4% on 2014
Italy
Italy’s production is also expected to decrease, to 197,000 tons, down 7% compared to 2014, and -12% compared to the average.
Spain
Spain expects an almost 100,000 ton harvest, 12% higher than last year and 21% above the average. Conditions were relatively favourable in all zones.
France
France expects the apricot harvest to reach 166,000 tons, 4% less than last year and 2% higher than the 2008/2012 average. Lack of cold over the winter and frequent rainfall during flowering led to low fruit set for many varieties on many plots. These forecasts are probably quite high and could decrease over the next few weeks.
Greece
Apricot production in Greece is expected to be down 13% on last year and 20% compared to the five year average. Greece is yet again victim to climate conditions in 2015, with 46,000 tons of production expected. Production should reach a good level in Peloponnese where the harvest should begin in the 2nd ten days of May. Meanwhile frost in Macedonia destroyed 80% of production in the main areas.