What the stone fruit season will be like in Europe

Stone fruit production in Europe by 2024 is expected to reach 3.4 million tonnes, including peaches, nectarines and flat peaches, marking a 4% increase over the previous year and 7% higher than the average for the years 2018 to 2022. These figures were recently discussed during the Europech Forum in Medfel, Perpignan, France.

 

The region has overcome three years of low production, with figures below 3 million tonnes until 2023, when it recovered with approximately 3.3 million tonnes. Despite persistent drought in Catalonia and Roussillon, spring rains promise enough water to sustain crops through the summer.

 

Europe has not experienced severe weather incidents recently, which has allowed expectations of 4% growth in total production to be maintained.

 

Spain anticipates production of around 1.5 million tonnes, up 1% from 2023 and 12% more than the average of the last five years. After a challenging 2022 season due to frost, the situation improved in 2023 thanks to rains in May and June that compensated for the drought in northern Spain.

Greece expects to reach 700,000 tonnes, 3% more than in 2023 and 5% above the five-year average, marked by weather disasters. Italy projects to harvest close to one million tonnes, 10% more than in 2023, although 3% below the recent average.

 

France estimates a production of 230,000 tonnes of peaches and nectarines for 2024, 5% more than in 2023 and 22% more than the five-year average. Despite the drought in Roussillon, timely rains have improved prospects for a good season.