According to data from Agrarmarkt Austria [Austrian agricultural Market] (AMA), apple stocks were at 12,256 metric tonnes on 1st of May, of which 9,693 metric tonnes were Golden Delicious apples, 688 metric tonnes were Evelina, 166 metric tonnes were Braeburn and 137 metric tonnes were Gala apples. The remaining apples were mostly either Jonagold and Idared. By comparison: a year ago the stocks were at 57,471 metric tonnes. The current low volume is supposedly the result of the extremely small harvest, which was due to last year's heavy snow and frost damage.
Due to the low levels of domestic stocks, imports of dessert apples must be correspondingly increased in order to cover domestic demand. In January 2017, 20% more apples were imported than in the same month of the previous year. Apple prices developed in different ways depending on the apple variety. In the EU, the prices are falling especially in Poland in Italy. In France, on the other hand, they increased and in Germany there was no price change from March to April.
Fruit damage this year too, due to spring frost
Temperatures down to -6 °C caused severe damage in agriculture on 21st of April 2017, especially in Styria, Carinthia, Southern Burgenland and in some parts of Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Tyrol and Vorarlberg. Fruit and wine orchards, tree nurseries and asparagus were severely damaged. Overall, more than 12,000 hectares have been affected.
Source: aiz