According to the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA), November's production prospects in the European Union have been readjusted. The new estimations predict an 8% drop in apples, bringing the total production volume for 2012 down to 9,784,000 tonnes.
By countries, Austria presents a 21% drop this year. Other countries with lower production are: Slovenia (-38%), France (-31%), Belgium (-28%), UK (-27%), Spain (-26%), the Netherlands (-25%), Lithuania (-20%) and Poland (-18%).
There are also apple production drops in Sweden (-18 %), Portugal (-15%), Italy (-15%), Latvia (-13%), Denmark (-10%), Romania (-7%.), Greece (-3%) and Germany (-2%.)
The countries where production is expected to increase are: Hungary (+39%), Czech Republic (+28%), Poland (+16%) and Slovakia (+9%).
Regarding varieties, the most affected ones are: Jonagold (-27%), Granny Smith (-25%), Fuji (-21%), Red Delicious (-20%), Golden Delicious (-16%) and Gala (-6%).
However, production is expected to increase for Indared (+41%) and Jonagored (+75%).
Pears
With December's estimations, WAPA points out that there will be a 31% drop in pears, bringing the total production volume for 2012 down to 1,822,000 tonnes.
The largest drops compared to 2011 are taking place in Slovakia (-63%), Sweden (-53 %), Portugal (-48%), the Netherlands (-41%), Italy (-34%), Latvia (-33%), Slovenia (-33%), France (-30%) and Spain (-29%).
Other countries with lower production volumes are Belgium (-21%), Germany (-19%), Poland (-18%), UK (-17%) and Romania (-7%). Production compared to December 2011 is only growing in Czech Republic (+109%), Hungary (+23%) and Greece (+21%).
Regarding varieties, the most affected are: Abate Fetel (-55%), Rocha (-48%) and William BC (-21%).
Source: SimFRUIT