Growing conditions 2016
This year, weather conditions saw a very mild autumn and winter, but at the end of January, frost hit some early regions (notably South Italy and the Murcia region).
At the start of March, weather conditions got worse as the temperatures went back to normal, or below normal, with some frost and hail on many occasions.
A lack of winter cold for some varieties, delay in flowering between varieties that normally inter-pollinate, rain and cold during flowering, frost and hail over the last few days, all mean the apricot production expectations are far from that of last year and a lot lower than normal.
Italy, France, Spain and Greece
Italy’s forecast is clearly decreasing, with 163,000 tons, a 19% decrease compared to 2015 and -28% compared to the average.
France expects a 115,600 ton harvest, 26% less than last year and 27% less than the average. Last year the Roussillon had a very weak harvest but results look more promising for this year. However, it is the opposite for other production basins. In the Gard and the Crau, the load is heterogenous depending on varieties, and disappointing overall. In the Rhone valley, flowering of early varieties began very early, taking into account the mild temperatures over the winter. Frost in February is responsible for losing some potential of these varieties. More frost and hail followed leading to even more damage on seasonal and late varieties.
Spain expects an almost 110,000 ton harvest, 1% below that of last year and 32% higher than the average. Despite frost on some early varieties, potential does not seem to be affected. Undoubtedly, this is due to an increase in planting over the last few years and new orchards coming into production.
Following a very unprofitable 2015, Greece sees their forecasts closer to the average with 54,800 tons.
Season 2015
The 2015 season was marked by a particularly mild winter, the lack of cold winter temperatures had a negative effect on certain varieties that need the cold. In the end, the harvest was average and even at times above expectations.
The apricot market did not have the same problems as peaches due to what was, in the end, partly a very average production and less directed to difficult markets such as Ukraine and Russia.