Europe expects less top fruit

From various indications it is becoming clear that the European top fruit harvest 2012/2013 will be smaller. This is the result of the disappointing weather conditions. The decrease in production has been estimated differently in various countries. The expectation is that this will have a positive effect on the price. On the other side experts think that the shortage will possibly be supplemented by countries overseas. A good part has been damaged, as a result of which more go to processing. The weather conditions in spring will cause a considerable decrease in France, the Netherlands and Belgium. In Poland a bigger harvest is expected as a result of new plantings.

The first harvest estimates for the new season are disappointing. 30% less apples and 14% less pears are expected. This was put together by the Flemish government and various other authorities. The unfavourable flowering circumstances, the cold and wet weather and the frost in April are the culprits. 

 

The period of frost at the beginning of February has in the entire fruit cultivation sector already caused damage to the value of 85 million Euro. According to the figures of the Productschap Tuinbouw the apple harvest will be decreased by 23% and of pears by 38%. The picture, however, is changing. In the south the harvest expectations are better than in other areas, especially with regard to the polders. The differences also make it difficult to arrive at a good estimate. It is striking that especially with the pear variety Conference a considerable decrease is expected.

France

In the beginning of July an estimate was prepared. A considerable decrease is expected because of night frost and rain during the flowering period. Following rough estimates there will be about 50% less top fruit than last year.

 

In Italy about 80% of pears may be lost. In June there was a serious earthquake and as a result a great deal less pears are expected because irrigation was not possible.

Spain

Spain also expect a smaller top fruit production, but not as extreme as in Belgium and the Netherlands. The apple production is expected to decrease by 7,8% and the pear production by 12,5%. 

United Kingdom

British apples are expected to decrease by 50%. This because of continuous bad weather conditions. In the south of England about 70% of the apple cultivation takes place and this region was also damaged the most. 

From 2 to 4 August the Prognosfruit-meeting will take place in Toulouse France. Prognosfruit is a week earlier than normal.