Unlike 2017, when apricot quantities reached 680 thousand tons, 2018 recorded more normal levels with an 18% drop and around 558 thousand tons on a European level.
Italy saw a drop that exceeded 30%, France reached 134 thousand tons (-14%) and Greece managed to harvest 80 thousand tons (-12%). Only Spain had a new record with slightly less than 143 thousand tons (+9% compared to 2017).
Elisa Macchi, CSO Italy director, at the meeting with European apricot producers
This was due to the physiological alternating production that characterises apricots, as well as to frosts. Spain had better weather and managed to increase investments, especially in the Murcia region.
"Despite the fact that the situation is still unclear, we can be sure that there won't be an overproduction, especially in the early period, meaning the market will be livelier. We're hoping the Italian produce will do better than 2017 also thanks to the lower quantities available and varietal renewal activities carried out. In the future, we must monitor Spanish trends," explains CSO Italy director Elisa Macchi.
