Italy largest producer of stone fruit

The EU harvest of peaches and nectarines this year is about 4.2 million tons, more or less the same as last year. The four most ardent contributors are Italy, Spain, Greece and France. Most important buyer was Russia, who took in over 60%.

Italy, with a production result of 1,597,210 tons, is the largest European producer of peaches and nectarines. Compared to last year, peaches were up with 1%, nectarines down with 1%.

Spain is looking at a production of 1,284,500 tons. Due to freezing temperatures in the Aragon region, one of the chief agricultural areas in Spain, the peach harvest was smaller than anticipated. Nectarines are doing slightly better, the crop living up to last year’s. Greece was able to deliver 675,000 tons.

France, with a yield of 277,900 tons will likely see a 8% drop compared to last season. Heavy rains and smaller acreage are the designated culprits. Hungary is also in, with 39,000 tons, and Portugal will probably chip in with 32,000 tons.

Source: Gain Report