Positive forecasts for European production of peaches and apricots

The forecasts are good for European harvest 2014 of peaches and apricots.

Forecasts of European harvest were reported to MedFEL fair in Perpignan. Crops in 2014 should increase by +11% for peaches and nectarines and +13% for apricots.

Peaches 2014: +11% in peaches and nectarines with a little more than 3 million tons and + 28% in Clingstone with 780,000 tons. Italy plans a harvest close in volumes to that of the last year, Spain and France should be around +15% compared to the last year and Greece, very affected by frost and hail in 2013 should be +44%. In peaches it may be noted the phenomenon of flat peaches in Spain with an increase of almost 30% compared to 2013 with the entry into production of orchards planted between 2010 and 2012.

Apricots 2014: +13% for apricots with 520 000 tons. Situations are different following the countries: Greece, which had been severely affected by frost in 2013 saw a rise in production levels by +47% with 62,000 tons planned. Italy predicts an increase of +11% with 210 000 tons, Spain announces a harvest of 88,000 tons or 10% less than last year. France predicts a harvest of 160 000 tons or +22% compared to last year.