The winter temperatures are favorable to the productions and the grouped and abundant blooming in the orchards is taking place in good conditions overall. Hives are present in many apricot orchards. Thinning will be significant this year and will help regulate the number of fruits necessary to obtain the desired calibers. Unless there is a major weather hazard, the season should start moderately early, slightly later than last year because the trees are more heavily loaded, but anything can still happen in the next 2 months.
Photo credit: Pascal Delon
Acceleration of the preparation of the season of Peaches and Apricots of France, which will focus on the following issues:
o Development of the “agroecology” project:
For peaches-nectarines as well as for apricots, after an inventory of knowledge and initiatives, the PDO will accompany the committed “pilot” farms, on a few plots, in a significant reduction of synthetic pesticides outside of biocontrol. The partnership with brand names will help promote these approaches among their clients.
o Apricot quality plan:
With the updated list of recommended varieties 2021 and the deployment of the AQI® indicator in the Eco-responsible Orchards charter, companies will take a new step forward in their work to improve taste quality. The ASPIR research program on the infrared field quality measurement tool with INRAe, CTIFL and Sud Expé will enter its final year.
Photo credit: Pascal Delon
o Alternative to plastic packaging:
With the partner retailers and wholesalers, new solutions will be tested and even adopted this season, depending on the technical and economic characteristics of these materials. The coming weeks will be used to choose together the best options available on the market.
o Marketing calendar
The predictions for the French and European harvests will be revealed on May 11th and 25th, 2021 during the Mardis de medFEL. Exchanges with distribution companies are in progress to adopt a calendar adapted to our offer and favorable to consumers.
Photo credit: Gregory Chardon
o Communication:
The promotion tools used during radio spots, leaflets and point of sale tools are being prepared. We can already note the dates of the TV campaign during weeks 22 to 25 on French TV France 3. The launch of the 2021 Eco-responsible Orchards campaign will take place on May 25th at 10am with the managers of the apple-pear sector.
More details on this program during the press conference on March 23rd at 2pm.
For more information:
Raphaël MARTINEZ
AOP Pêches et Abricots de France
575 chemin du chai 30900 NIMES
Phone: 04.66.84.12.12
https://www.pechesetabricotsdefrance.fr