On the 1st June 2015, annual peach, nectarine, brugnon and pavie production is estimated to be 3% lower than the harvest in 2014 and is expected to reach 226,000 tons. This is 14% below the 2010-2014 average, taking into account that acreage has decreased by 13% over this period.
In Languedoc-Roussillon, which represented 46% of national production in 2014, vegetation is 5 to 15 days late. Heavy rain will have affected fruit setting and the strong winds led to fruits falling from the trees. Production could be the same as last year in the PACA region (26% of national production in 2014) where it is already behind that of an average year. For the time being, the heat is slowing down the increase in calibres and after flowering, the load from the fruit trees was low. The warm and dry climate in the Rhone-Alpes (19% of national production in 2014) is allowing the fruit to develop and fruit setting occurred under favourable conditions, production potential appears satisfactory.
According to forecasts from MEDFEL in April, the previsional European harvest looks to be stable compared to 2014 and up 5% compared to the 2009-2013 average. Spanish production has increased by 3% in a year, overtaking the 2009-2013 average by 40%. Production in other countries, excluding France, should be stable.
Commercialisation of French nectarines and peaches has not yet begun. In 2014, the average prices decreased by 20% over a year and 4% compared to the 2009-2013 average. A premature influx in production at the start of the season unbalanced the market. In June, peach prices were 6% lower than the 2009-2013 average, despite the warm weather that favoured consumption. However, rain and relatively chilly weather over the rest of the summer slowed down consumption. The offer declined week by week in August. The price index at production was 4% below the 5 year average. Prices of imported Spanish peaches were 15% below the 2009-2013 average in June, 13% below in July and 11% below in August. Overall, the national turnover index in 2014 was 9% below that of 2013 and 14% below the 5 year average.