W18: Peach & Nectarine Update

In W18 in the peach and nectarine landscape, the European Commission (EC) approved on May 5th the inclusion of the Cieza peach from Spain in the Register of Protected Geographical Indications (IGP). The Cieza peach is grown in the municipalities of Cieza, Calasparra, Jumilla, and Abarán, in southern Spain. The qualities of these fruits are influenced by the extreme Mediterranean climate of the area. The low temperatures of winter nights (which oscillate between -2 °C and 5 °C) and the punctual extreme heat of the months of May (33 °C), June (37 °C), and July (41 °C) confer to peaches a unique and characteristic size and color. Italy received its first spring fruits, with Spanish white-fleshed nectarines priced close to USD 8.73/kg in Bologna, while going for about half that in Bergamo, Padua, and Verona. Spanish yellow flesh nectarines also had similar values. Meanwhile, Spanish white-fleshed peaches of 61/67 caliber were priced at 4.36/kg in Padua, Verona, Bergamo, and Florence.

In Texas in the US, farmers expect approximately 25% of a full peach crop in the 2022/23 season. Most of the early, low-chill clingstones have good settings, but the freestones are pretty weak. This is due to the drought conditions that have been ongoing since the fall of 2021. There was also not enough winter chill, and they experienced a very steep drop in temperatures after some warm temperatures just before Christmas 2022. However, while the current weather conditions look good, peach farmers remain cautious of thunderstorm threats until the end of May. Lastly, in Russia, Crimean farmers expect to plant more than 900 ha of new perennial fruit trees such as peaches, apple trees, plums, and pears in 2023. Since 2014, the rate of planting young orchards increased by more than 6 times, attributed to horticultural support that saw finances rise from USD 0.80M to USD 12.08.