Belgium's apple production has seen a unexpected surge to 240,000 tons from the projected 220,000 tons, with high quality fruits. However, the market is overwhelmed with competition due to the Ukraine war, leading to low prices. Additionally, the rise in the costs of fertilizers and energy is further increasing the operational expenses, making it an economically challenging year for fruit growers. Consequently, stocks are 20% lower than average and some apples have been left unharvested or sent for processing immediately to mitigate losses.