Opinion

Weather Update: Drought and Heat Waves Affecting Fruit Production Across Europe

Fresh Apple
Greece
Fresh Plum
Published Sep 11, 2022
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European countries have been affected by drought and several heat waves in 2022 which have negatively affected the production volumes and quality of several fruits. Tridge's global market analysts and country representatives take a deep dive into what has happened in supplying countries and how it affected European markets.

First Batch of Portugal’s Royal Gala Apples Did Not Achieve Desired Colour

A true Royal Gala needs to have at least 50% of the apple’s thin skin with a deep red colour, while being naturally lightly striped too. Due to the drought experienced in Portugal, the first batch of apples harvested in the mountain areas were not able to reach the desired deep red colour, although having the coloration %, thus making them more similar with the Fuji apple produced in countries like China. The lack of deep red colour caused the perception of inferior quality, especially in the Middle Eastern markets.

However the humidity observed in the last 2 weeks with foggy days, and early morning dew, allowed the apple trees to add more colour concentration, with apples now within the parameters that are typical of the Royal Gala variety. Producers are now more confident they will be able to receive good value for their Gala production in export markets.

Pear Crop Losses in the Veneto Region in Italy Due to Heat and Drought

The 2022 summer heat and drought in Italy caused significant damage to pears harvested in the Veneto region in terms of production and quality. Although the quantity is greater than in 2021, when spring frost wiped out production, the high temperatures of this summer caused premature fruit fall with many fruits being of small sizes and therefore of low commercial value.

The 2022 season, in terms of the number of fruits present on the tree, could have been normal. However, the heat caused a reduction in weight per tree and per hectare. A 15-20% reduction in weight has a heavy impact on commercialization resulting in small and not desirable sizes on the market. In terms of real production, the losses are between 40 to 50%, because many fruits are destined for the processing industry which pay only 8 to 10 cents per kilogram.

Rainy Weather and Stagnant Market Demand Hurt Greek Grape Exporters

Rainy weather in Greece during the last week of August has complicated the supply of seedless grape varieties. The quality of traditional varieties such as Thompson and Red Crimson from open air vineyards are negatively affected by rain and high air humidity. Producers in the Peloponnese region have resorted to cut, store and distribute their produce as quickly as possible to prevent losses. However, buyers in Germany and Austria, who traditionally absorb these spot deals, are not doing so this season due to stagnant demand from the West European retail sector.

The UK market introduces further uncertainty into the 2022 season. Port strikes and land logistic inefficiencies make the supply of Greek grapes on fixed price terms programs too risky and too difficult to support. Retailers will not absorb the cost increases that this high risk brings. Thus, Greek suppliers are awaiting opportunities from Dutch wholesalers instead. However, Greek suppliers do not want to dismiss the option of direct sales to the UK since there are no safe markets this season and eventually they will take position in the UK.

In the Kavala area, EXW prices are expected to remain stable for the month of September at USD 2,05/kg for red seedless and USD 1,85/kg for Thompson white seedless.

Spanish Pomegranate Production Expected to Decline by 20-30%

The 2022 Spanish pomegranate season did not escape the adverse effects of climate change. The rains in May negatively affected the flowering stage of the fruit, with producers estimating that production will be reduced by 20-30% this season. Harvesting will commence at the end of September with the first shipments taking place in the second week of October. The 2021 season started with prices at USD 1.10/kg EXW. It is expected that due to the reduced availability and the increase in production costs, start of season prices will experience an increase of at least 10% compared to 2021.

High Temperatures Limit CA Capacity of French Apples

A large French apple grower, producing more than 20,000MT annually, is advising against storing apples in CA (controlled atmosphere) rooms for extended periods for the 2022 harvest, especially for the Royal Gala variety. Apples can generally be stored in CA rooms for up to one year after harvest. However, due to the abnormal weather conditions experienced in 2022, especially the heat waves, gala apples could face quality issues if stored in CA for extended periods. This means much lower volumes of galas will be available on the market late in the 2022 campaign.

Shortage of Early Season Spanish Persimmon Due to Abnormal Weather

Due to the abnormal weather patterns that hit Spain in 2022, including several heat waves, the volumes of persimmons available for the 2022 season will be limited. Orchard evaluations and in field counts are being carried out to accurately determine the definitive decrease. Preliminary information suggests that the main impact will be on the volumes at the start of the campaign with quantities toward the middle and end of the campaign not as severely affected. Exporters are hopeful that the larger volumes toward the middle and end of the campaign will provide opportunities for export. The general expectation for the 2022 Spanish persimmon season is less volume and higher prices compared to last year.

Summer Hailstorm Damage Apple Orchards in Poland

Rain and hailstorms struck the Grójec / Rawa Mazowiecka area, the apple heartland of Poland, at the end of W34. Some growers in the affected region report 100% damage of apples in orchards due to hail. The type of storm that hit the region can be very localized, so the true extent of damage region wide is undetermined at this stage. The expectation is that a smaller volume of apples will be sent to the fresh market while a larger volume will be destined for processing and juicing, compared to pre-storm estimates. The effect of the damage and loss of harvest on apple prices will become clear when the 2022 harvest commences in September when weather conditions have turned dry and warm.

Storm in Cavillon, France Severely Damages Apple Production

Cavaillon, an important hub of apple production in France, was hit by a severe storm in W33 which could affect apple production for the 2022 season. According to an organic apple producer in the area the storm destroyed young orchard trees and caused fruit to drop to the ground. If more producers experienced the same problem in this area, the volume of the 2022 fresh apple harvest could decline, putting upward pressure on the price of apples in the area but also in the whole country of France.

Quality Issues for Spanish Red Seedless Grapes in UK Market

UK buyers reported coloration and high acidity vs. sweetness ratio in red seedless grapes from Murcia, Spain in WK32. The region has struggled to supply high quality red seedless grapes at the start of the 2022 season. The main reason being that vines went into heat shock due to the heat wave experienced at the end of July, which prevented coloration and sweetness from developing in red seedless grapes. Due to the shortage of red seedless grapes in the UK market, some retailers have been flexible on resectable defects whilst others have pushed back and rejected containers. The shortage and quality situation is expected to be resolved by WK33 as Crimson seedless in Murcia comes into full production, promising high quality and abundant volume.

Spanish Nectarine Season Draws to a Close

The 2022 Spanish nectarine season has officially drawn to a close. Even though available sizes were smaller on average than the previous season, the average price of nectarines was around 15% higher compared to 2021 due to a shortage of volume in the market. The shortage was caused by the production lost in Catalonia and Murcia regions due to adverse weather conditions, including the heat wave experienced at the end of July.

Start of the 2022 Spanish Plum Campaign Characterized by Low Prices

The first weeks of the 2022 Spanish plum campaign have been characterized by high quantities of category 2 available in the market due to hail at the start of summer which damaged the skin of an estimated 15% of the fruit. This has led to price pressure in the market, preventing the prices of category 1 plums from increasing further. The prices during week 31 for a category 1 Fortuna variety in Cal AA was around USD 1.12/kg (EUR 1.1/kg) with the price expected to remain stable in week 32.

Effects of Hot and Dry Weather on Fruit Production in France

The hot weather and absence of rain in France during 2022 is having a direct impact on fruit production. In general, the fruit season is starting at least 10 days earlier than usual. However, the weather is also affecting color, sizing, pricing, and changes in consumer behavior.

According to an apple producer in Cavaillon, the 2022 season is off to an unusual start. The nights are so hot that the fruits are not achieving the desired color. This impacts on the time spent picking the fruits as it takes much longer to select the fruit with the correct color due to variation in color. However, the grower is not concerned and expects conditions to return to normal in a few weeks.

According to a plum producer from the Baronnies area, the lack of water for irrigation purposes is having a significant impact on fruit size. If it does not rain sufficiently before the harvest, plus are expected to be 2 sizes smaller than usual. Coming in at 40 mm instead of 50 mm.

The apricot season usually lasts until mid-August or the end of August for new varieties. However, in 2022, the season is already finished for most producers with prices reaching record highs due to earlier arrival in the market during the peak summer period.

Adverse Weather Result in 50% Production Loss of Mission Figs in Northern Greece

Hail and cold weather conditions during the first week of July 2022 delayed production and affected more than 20% of Mission figs yield in the Veria region in Northern Greece. The heat wave experienced during the last week of July further stressed the Mission fig trees, creating another wave of fruit drop. The total loss in production is estimated to exceed 50% while the domestic market eagerly await the start of the fig season. Figs together with seedless grapes signal the peak of Greek summer fruit season and the Greek holiday period.

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