For the coming top fruit season, Belgium expects 18 per cent less apples and 10 per cent less pears. The decrease in production has several causes, such as changeable weather conditions during the flowering and growing periods, and the area decrease for apples. Philippe Appeltans of the VBT (Association for Belgian auction houses) indicates that it is important to view this data in light of total European top fruit harvests. For all of Europe, apple production is estimated at 3 per cent lower than last year, and the production of pears is expected to be 9 per cent lower than last year.
Pears
Regarding pears, Appeltans is more positive than it is for apples. “Moods are better than in recent years: a production decrease for pears was much needed. European and Belgian pear production estimates are similar. If all is well the balance between demand and supply will finally be restored somewhat this year, and cultivators can expect better prices.”
Apples
“It is positive for apples that we are expecting better quality this year, so that we can continue to supply good apples for a longer period. For the Belgian 2016/17 season, lesser apples are estimated, but the decrease in production for all of Europe is not too bad. It looks as if we are going to have another enormous apple harvest, one of the top three of the past ten years. Rumours are that more will go to industry this season, but expectations are worrisome, especially for the first half of the season. Yet compared to last season, more ‘room’ is expected on the European market, but, when looking realistically at Poland, this room will be disappointing. They are also missing large buyer, Russia, and are increasingly selling on ‘our’ markets.”
Living without Russia
Whether Russia will ever return as a buyer for Europe is unclear, according to Appeltans. “I hope I am mistaken, but, for now, we have to learn to commercialise without Russia. The first step towards a recovery can only be taken around January, when Europe might make a decision on the sanctions. In Russia, things will only start moving after Europe takes action. It remains a game.”
Resigned cultivators
Appeltans is glad the cultivators are resilient. “But after several bad seasons in a row there is now a certain resignation. Let us hope that the good predictions for pears come true, and that the apple season is also not too bad.”
For more information:
Philippe Appeltans
Verbond van Belgische Tuinbouwcoöperaties (VBT)
Tiensevest 136
B-3000 Leuven