Still a good amount of apple stock in Europe at end of 2013

The European 2013-2014 year started off particularly lightly due to the weakness of the European stock and the off-season. The stock of European apples was, in effect, very limited on the 01/07/2013 with a total of 150,800 t (-42% /2012; -41%/average 2 years).

The 2013-2014 period got off to a good start in the South of Europe for the two-coloured early varieties, even if they were a bit late (S35 ; early August), with high prices (1.50 €/kg, Gala, at dispatch, plt 2rg 170-220 g) which remained higher than in 2012 until the end of September. The prices continued to adjust until week 44 and reached the average for the better varieties (-1%/average 3 years) but are a lot lower for the inferior varieties, which were in the majority this year.

The delay over the season has been harmful when trying to promote the product in October (apple fairs), de-stocking has been slowed down, and the dispatch of overseas export was delayed by the late arrival of products from the Southern hemisphere, for two-coloured apples but especially Granny's. The exportations have, however, since been active.

The European stock was still considerable at the end of 2013 (4.49 Mt on the 01/12/2013; +11 % /2012-2013 and +10%/average 3 years).

Source: infofruit.fr