European Union: Consumption and production of apples show a fall

The latest report 'Short-Term Outlook for European Union agricultural markets in 2024' details that usable apple production in 2023/2024 is expected to decrease by 6.3% to 11.1 million tonnes (3.6 % below 5-year average). The above is due to a smaller harvest in the main producing countries of the European Union (-12% year-on-year in Denmark; -10% in France; and -9% in Poland), added to climatic phenomena that negatively impacted yields and the quality of the fruit. In total, it is projected that 7.1 million tons of apples will be used for fresh consumption and 4.1 million tons for processed ones. The report also indicates that per capita consumption of fresh apples could fall to 14.3 kg (7% less than the previous campaign), driven by lower availability and persistent inflation. In the case of processed apples, consumption is expected to remain stable at 8.5 kg. Exports and imports European Union fresh apple exports are projected to decline by 15% in 2023/24, due to lower ...