Mixed Production Expectations for Spanish Apricot Due to Variation among Regions

Published 2023년 5월 3일

Spain anticipates a varied production outlook in 2023 due to differing conditions across regions. In 2023, Catalonia's apricot output will climb by 52% YoY. Heat waves early in the year influenced apricot orchards in Murcia, prompting quicker flowering, while cold temperatures later in the year devastated apricot orchards in their most vulnerable stage. Combining production from the different regions in Spain, 98,739 MT of apricots could be produced in 2023.

Spain's Catalonia apricot production will increase by 52% YoY in 2023, up to 11,006 MT. Mild winter, with enough rain and almost no cold damage, has positively reflected on apricot production. After experiencing a drop in output in recent years, Catalonia's increase in production is an encouraging indicator for traders.

Source: Tridge

On the other hand, in the Murcia region, growers are faced with several weather predicaments and expect a decrease in production amounting to as much as 50%. In 2022, the total production of apricots in Spain plummeted 39% YoY, down to 78,000 MT. Exports also suffered, falling to 55,800 MT, an 40% YoY decrease. The main reasons were the delay of the earliest varieties, spring frosts, and losses due to excessive rainfall in April, which have shortened the season even more, according to Nicolas Pagliettini, Tridge Global Origination Manager in Spain.

In Murcia, apricot orchards were influenced by heat waves at the beginning of the year, causing earlier flowering, while afterward, cold temperatures damaged apricot orchards in the most sensitive stage. Another hurdle was a severe lack of water in the Murcia region, with insufficient precipitation since December. On the other hand, the absence of rainfall will result in fruit with higher sugar content and greater hardness. The stone fruit harvest typically starts in Murcia, followed by Extremadura and, finally, Catalonia.

Adding to Murcia's 39,000 MT and aggregating other regions in Spain, the total apricot yield for 2023 is projected to reach 98,739 MT. Although it is a positive result compared to the previous year, this is still well below the average of 117,866 MT in the 2017-2021 observed period.

Tridge expects an increase in Spanish apricot exports due to available quantities in Spain and the overall sound quality of fruit. Despite increased volume, bearish sentiment regarding the price remains, mainly due to expected lower amounts in other European markets, especially in Italy, with a projected 26% YoY decline down to 203,000 MT in 2023.