According to research results by Agresto the decrease in the stock of apples and pears in France will continue till the end of the 2011/2012 season. With a stock of about 150,000 tons at the end of April the trading season is almost over.
The stock of apples at the end of April 2012 was bigger than in 2011, but less than in April 2010. The apple production of 2011 was 5% higher than that of 2010. The harvest started early this season. The first apples were picked at the end of June, two weeks earlier than normal in the Provence. In August more was exported than sold in the local market. The number of varieties increased in September, whilst sales on the European market decreased. The average price was 13% lower than the 5-year average. The price for the Golden decreased by 18% at the end of the season and for Gala by 4%. Looking at the whole year the balance of price was generally positive, however. October and November were marked by an active export and industrial market. The price increased in November, but was still 4% lower than the average of the last five years. In December the export was 30% in excess of that in December 2010. In January the demand of the local market also increased. From February prices were more stable because of an increasing supply on the European market, but was in March still 3% less than the 5-year average. In April sales were good
The stock of pears at the end of April 2012 was 32% bigger than last year, but was the same as in 2010. The production of pears in 2011 was 12% more than in 2010. According to Prognosfruits the European production in 2011 increased by 11% compared to 2010 and by 5% compared to the five year average.
Harvesting started earlier than usual. The market at that time was dominated by summer fruit, which was not sold easily. In July the price was 15% lower than the five year average. In August many lots went to the processing industry again. In September there was increased competition from the Netherlands and Belgium. Sales at the local market did not really become dynamic as a result of the summer temperatures. The price was 17% lower than the average of the last five years. In October there was less competition from the Netherlands. The price for the variety Conference improved as a result, but was still 8% percent lower than the five year average. From November 2011 prices were weak. In April prices increased because of the decrease in supply at the end of the season.