WAPA recently unveiled the production estimates for 2021 for apple and pear at the 46th edition of the Prognosfruit forum with positive numbers for the apple’s output but a substantial drop in the pear sector due to heavy frosts earlier this year in the main producing regions.
Apple Production Rebound from Last Season
Apple production in the EU for the 21 top producing countries for the 2021/2022 season is estimated to reach 11.735 million tonnes. Overall, this year’s crop is estimated to be 10% higher than last year, but just 1% up from the 3-year average. Nevertheless, after last season's contraction, the expected production is forecast to grow in many European countries. In fact, an increase is estimated for the leading producer Poland, which is expecting a 22% increase in volumes year-on-year, returning to high volumes to up to 4.17 million tonnes.
Source: ITC Trade Map, Tridge
For other main apple production countries, the upward trend in production remains similar to Poland, which confirms the apple production rebound for this season. France seemed to recover from a very low output over the latest season with a 3% increase, which is still very low compared to the 2016-2019 period. Spain had one of the most significant increases of 29% from last year, demonstrating a substantial recovery from the disappointing past season. Hungary was the country with the most significant increase, at 49%, although apple production remains low at 520,000 tons. The Dutch harvest estimate is 250,000 tons of apples, 14% higher than in 2020.
The only apple decrease within the main producing countries was in Italy. Total production of 2.045 million tons is estimated, a 4% decrease from last year. Italy was previously expecting a recovery of their apple production as well; however, spring frosts in the Trentino and Alto Adige region caused significant damage in various apple plantations.
In terms of varieties, the Golden Delicious stands out by returning to 2.12 million tons, with an 8% growth compared to 2020, but remains far from the record volumes of 2015, 2016, and 2018. On the other hand, record production of the Gala is expected with 1.563 million tons, an 8% increase from last year, and The Jonagold variety marks a 34% increase in production. On the other hand, slight reductions in the Red Delicious by 3%, an 18% reduction on the Granny Smiths, Cripps Pink (12%), and Fuji (4%) was also witnessed.
Overall Pear Decrease due to Frosts
According to the WAPA estimates, Europe will face a sharp decline in pear production for the coming season, with most of the main producing countries suffering decreases in their output. The widespread frosts in March and April will cause a fall in volumes across all production regions, with the exception of Portugal. As a result, the EU pear crop for 2021/2022 is estimated to decrease by 28% compared to last year to 1.60 million tons and by 27% compared to the three-year average. This will be the lowest crop in decades for pears in the EU due to the intense frosts experienced in most producing countries.
Source: ITC Trade Map, Tridge
Italy, the largest pear producer in Europe, is expecting a massive drop in production of 65% this season, down from 611,000 tonnes to just 213,000 tonnes, for what will be the lowest crop in decades. The Netherlands is expecting a 19% reduction of its crop to 325,000 tonnes, as well as Belgium that will have a 25% decrease to 295,000 tonnes. Spain will have a slight decrease of 5% to 292,000 tonnes as frosts were less severe in the Mediterranean area, and France has announced an estimate of a 50% drop and will produce around 65,000 tonnes this year.
Portugal will be the only leading producing country that will increase its pear production as it was the only country that wasn’t affected by the frosts. As a result, it will actually have a substantial increase of 56% from a low production volume last year with an estimated 210,000 tons. It also has a slight increase in its production area and is showing a recovery of its productive potential.
In terms of pear varieties, the most affected ones from the frosts were the earliest ones, such as the Conference, which decreased 18% to 805,000 tonnes, and the Abates that dropped by 73% to 66,000 tonnes. There was also an impact on late summer varieties such as the Limonella, Ercollini, and Blanquilla.
Sources:
- Eurofruit. "Mixed fortunes for Europe's apples and pears."
- Fruitnet. "Europe set for sharp fall in pear production."
- Groentenfruithuis. "More apples and fewer pears expected than last year."
- Perishable News. "Prognosfruit 2021 Releases its Annual Apple and Pear Crop Forecast, Showing a 10% Increase in Apple Production and a 28% Decrease for Pears."
