There are fewer peaches and nectarines, while apricots and plums are increasing in Emilia Romagna. This is the snapshot provided by the Cia Romagna’s yearly report on 2018. The analysis has been conducted on a regional level, specifically in the Forlì-Cesena, Ravenna and Rimini provinces.
A statement reads, “The expansion trend of apricot and cherry surfaces continues. We recorded a slightly similar trend for apples and plums, while a more stable trend for pears. On the other hand, the hectares devoted to peaches and nectarines farming dropped with a 10% yearly average. In 2017, the hectares were 10.600. Now, the nectarines are below 6.900 hectares and the peaches around 4.300 hectares. With regard to the production, yields, prices and profitability, the apricot is one of the fruits experiencing hard times in terms of quantity, quality and also disappointing PLV”.
With regard to the cherry, the production was 30% smaller, but the quality was good. The Forlì-Cesena is the largest area, with more than 530 hectares over the total 2000 regional hectares. The most farmed variety is the Corniola. However, there was a production drop and the prices were lower than expected.
With regard to apple farming, Ravenna has the largest fields: more than 1.270 hectares. Pears are experiencing a peculiar situation. In 2018, the production in this area recorded a +15% than in 2017.
The peach and nectarines production dropped by 15% on average throughout Emilia Romagna, in line with the national drop level (-16%), while Europe records a -8%. With regard to the revenue, it was not a bad year.
The plums are slightly recovering. Romagna holds more than 60% of the plum surface in the region: more than 2.740 hectares over the 4.100. In Romagna, the production dropped by 13% on average – 20% less than the summer Chinese-Japanese production in 2017. With regard to the European varieties, there was an increase in production by 20%. The starting prices were higher than in the other years – with an average of even 50 cents more per kg.