This year, the 28 European Union (EU) countries' apple production is estimated at 11,735,000 tons. The pear harvest should be 1,604,000 tons. The apple estimate is ten percent higher than last year's harvest. And it's one percent higher than the average for the years 2018-2020. Especially bicolored apple production is lower.
For pears, the estimate is 28% lower than last year's harvest. And 27% lower than the 2018-2020 average. The pear crop is the smallest in a decade. These figures were announced on August 5 at the online "PrognosFruit" conference.
The EU apple harvest is, therefore, average and the pear one small. The Netherlands' Fruit Growers Organization (NFO) says this offers prospects for the sales season. The new Dutch harvest will be available to consumers from mid-September. "By buying Dutch fruit, you make an environmentally conscious choice. The fruit comes from nearby and has few food miles. So it's sustainable, tasty, healthy, and locally grown. Orchards also help beautify the Netherlands' countryside. And add to the country's biodiversity," says the NFO.
Elstar production
The EU's Elstar production is estimated at 342,000 tons. That's ten percent higher than last year. This is due to increased volume in the Netherlands and Germany. This EU Elstar harvest estimate is the third-lowest in the past ten years. In Germany, production is eight higher than last year. The Netherlands should have a 101,000-ton production. That's the second-lowest in the past decade.
Jonagold, Boskoop, and Golden Delicious production
The Jonagold (including Jonagored and Red Jonaprince) volume is estimated at 667,000 tons. That's 19% more than last year when production was 562,000 tons. However, production is still below the past ten-year average. Higher productions in the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium are the main reason for this increase. Unusually, Poland is expecting a lower production.
The Boskoop (Goudreinet) yield is estimated at 58,000 tons. That's 26% higher than last year. Golden Delicious has an estimate of 2,120,000 tons. It, therefore, remains the EU's largest variety. This variety's harvest should be eight percent down from last year.
Pear production
Conference pear production is estimated at 805,000 tons. So, 18% lower than the 2020 production. That of Doyenné du Comice, at 41,000 tons, is 44% lower. Abate Fetel production, at 66,000 tons, is 73% lower than last year. The Netherlands and Belgium account for 65% of Conference pear volumes.
For more information:
NFO
Email: info@nfofruit.nl
Website: www.nfofruit.nl