W13: Weekly Stone Fruit Update

Peach

Italy

Bad Weather, Hail Damage in Central-Southern Italy

In the last few hours, half of Italy's agriculture has had to contend with a new wave of cold, wind, and hail, especially in Puglia, Calabria, Campania, and Lazio, where the crops were most negatively impacted by the terrible weather. These crops include seasonal vegetables and flowers. Italian farmers working with the CIA to do reconnaissance on the area are concerned that at least 10% of their harvests have been lost. In Puglia, the organisation and farmers are already tallying the damage to the peach, almond, and cherry orchards in the Cerignola province. In Campania, worries are raised about peach orchards and hazelnut forests that have already sprouted their first leaves.

Plum

Chile

Chilean Plums and the Challenge of Reinventing Themselves in the Face of Stagnant Consumption

The main issue facing the plum industry in Chile and the rest of the world is how to boost consumption of this stone in both fresh and dried forms, which has been stagnant in recent years. Plum consumption per person decreased from a high of more than 41g in 2003 to just 29g in 2017. This number has remained the same, which is concerning and forces the industry to change in order for demand to rise. As a result, fresh approaches must be developed to increase market demand. Opening up new markets is one of the primary objectives of the dried plum business. India is in this group.

Uzbekistan

Another Novelty of the Season in Retail Sales of Plum

In Uzbekistan, spring has already arrived, and store shelves are stocked with new season goods, including kuksultan. (or Kuk sultan - a variety of small plums or cherry plums). This season, this new product entered the retail market about a week early and at an average price that was 2.4 times less expensive than it was the previous season. The Korzinka supermarket chain declared the beginning of kuksultan sales on March 28, 2023, with a suggested retail price of USD 4.37/kg. True, only two of this network's stores in the Uzbek capital currently give this novelty.

Apricot

Turkiye

Turkish Fruit Production Is Expected to Decrease in 2023 Due to Weather Anomalies

Due to the heavy rain, hail, snow, and frost that occurred at the end of March, fruit trees that bloomed due to the warm weather during the first 15 days of March throughout Turkiye could be affected. The majority of the flowers fell off due to the abrupt weather changes, which reduced the amount of the anticipated harvest in 2023. Even though frost and a small amount of flower loss can be advantageous for trees, a loss of nearly all the flowers, even with new blooms, can result in a significant drop in output.

Moldova

Another Cold Snap in Moldova Will Not Harm Apricots

The weather in Moldova significantly changed at the end of March. In W13, there will be some days with lows of +3–4 degrees and frosty nights of –1-2 degrees Celsius. In several northern and central parts of the country, it rained and snowed. According to horticultural farms' agronomists, the brief "wave of cold" that ended the previous month is unlikely to have a significant negative impact on apricots that are in bloom as well as early cherry and cherry orchards that are beginning to blossom.

Russia

The Weather Center Warns of Possible Damage to Stone Fruit Orchards Due to Severe Frosts in Winter, in Russia

The Hydrometeorological Center does not rule out the possibility that some parts of Russia's strong wintertime frosts caused some damage to stone fruit gardens, notably apricots, and cherries. The Southern Federal District's border is directly under the isotherm of minus 20 degrees. Stonefruit crops could potentially be frozen in this area, the institution's spokesperson said. First off, apricot orchards in the Volgograd region and the Rostov region may suffer as a result of bad weather conditions.

Italy

Weather Alert in Italy; Flowering Stone Fruits Are at Risk

With the abrupt drop in temperature in W13 in Italy, wind and hail on spring blossoms run the risk of destroying crops from the north to the south of the country. There is a possibility that adverse weather would harm the almond, peach, apricot, and cherry flowers, resulting in the loss of future crops.

Cherry

Chile

Chilean Fresh Fruit Export Volume up 17% In Early 2023

Cherries were the most popular fruit exported during the analysed period, accounting for 300,230MT, or USD 1.54B FOB (68% of the total exports of fresh fruit), an increase of 8% in volume and 5% in value over the same time in 2021. China is the primary destination, with 89% of the value of Chilean cherry exports going to that country.

Bulgaria

Will We Pay 300% More for a Kilo of Native Apples and Cherries?

Fruit prices are expected to increase in 2023, according to producers and experts in southwest Bulgaria. Consumers are anticipated to pay 300% more for a kilo of apples and cherries due to costly irrigation and unfavourable weather, particularly the frost on the fruit plants. Following the conversion of numerous vegetables into luxury goods, it appears that the same fate awaits fruits. In Kyustendilsko, more and more families of producers are giving up the industry, and more and more acres of land are lying fallow.