Apricot production in Italy and Greece has fallen (especially in the latter), is stable in Spain, and has nearly returned to normal in France. As a result, Europe is expected to produce 508,000 tons of apricots this season, that is 10% less than last year and 1% above the 2019-20 average, Afrucat stated.
Greece
For some years, Greece hasn't fully reached its potential production due to frost or rain during the flowering period. This year, the frost of March 21-22 caused considerable damage to the crops.
Forecasts are that Greece will produce 67,750 tons of apricots this year, which is 34% lower than last year and 16% below the average of the 2019-2023 period.
Spain
In 2024, Spain produced just over 135,000 tons of apricots. There were no notable weather events, but there was a persistent drought in all production areas. This year, relatively low temperatures and frequent and sometimes abundant rain have marked flowering. The rain, which has temporarily averted the risk of drought, has raised doubts about the real production potential after the fruit differentiation phase, currently underway for many varieties.
The Federation of Spanish Cooperatives' forecast indicates production will remain stable in 2025 and stand at 136,000 tons, although these figures could be revised downward as vegetative development progresses.
Italy
According to estimates, Italy will produce around 199,500 tons of apricots this year, 19% less than in 2024, which was a very good year, and also lower than in 2023.
The area devoted to apricot production in Italy, which has been decreasing slightly for years, fell by 4% compared to 2024.
France
French apricot production will probably return to a satisfactory level this year, after the 2024 harvest fell by almost 40%. The supply, which could reach a high level depending on the alternation phenomenon, will be moderate due to a significant physiological drop because of the rain during flowering.
Last year, French apricot production suffered a significant decrease, as expected, and was more than a third smaller than its potential. This was due to poor winter conditions.
In all production areas, spring temperatures have been lower than in previous years, and there has been frequent rain during flowering, which has negatively affected the self-infertile varieties, which are often the earliest and the ones that open the market.
These weather conditions have also delayed vegetation development. As a result, the harvest will be delayed by 10 to 15 days in all production areas.
Turkey, the world's leading producer, with a bigger production potential than all of Europe, has been affected by an exceptional cold snap in spring that reduced production by more than 70%, especially in the Malatya region, the country's main production area. While the vast majority of Turkish production is destined for drying, a part is exported fresh to Eastern Europe and Germany, which will not be possible this year.
2024
In 2024, marked by the production deficit in the Rhône Valley in France, the average but not optimal production in the other producing areas, and the return to normality in some areas after the 2023 deficit, such as in Emilia-Romagna, Europe produced just over 560,000 tons of apricots.
For more information:
Afrucat
www.afrucat.com