Spain exceeds 1.8 million tons of stone fruit production this season

In Spain, stone fruit production this season reached 1.8 million tons, an increase of 3% over the previous year and 9% above the average of the last five seasons, reported Elena Busutil, director general of Agricultural Productions and Markets of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

 

Apricot recorded a 41% increase compared to 2023, with an estimated production of 152,929 tons. Cherry also experienced a significant increase, with 31% more than the previous year, reaching 137,183 tons. Peach, meanwhile, grew by 2% over 2023, reaching 856,574 tons.

 

In contrast, nectarine production was down 5% from 2023, at 514,181 tons, although still 7% above the average of the last five seasons. Plum also declined, down 5% compared to last year and 8% below average. On the export side, all products in this category, except plum, showed increases in volume and value.

 

MAPA also reported that the area planted to melon and watermelon decreased slightly, but watermelon production is expected to increase by 5% over the previous year, reaching 1,205,555 tons. During the meeting, forecasts for the pome fruit season, which began in September, were also discussed, with an estimated production of 807,807 tons, 1% less than the previous season.

 

Of that amount, 555,280 tons are for apples, up 5% compared to 2023. However, pear production is expected to decrease by 12% to 252,500 tons. Catalonia, the main producing region, is experiencing a significant drop in pear production, due to water stress caused by last year's drought.