Peach and nectarine production in Catalonia to decline 70%

According to data from the Fruit Business Association of Catalonia (Afrucat) and the Department of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda (DACC), the productive potential of Catalonia (Spain) for peaches and nectarines will be reduced by nearly 70%, totaling 165.550 tons. This will be the second year in a row when the region's production suffers serious consequences from weather events.

The Lleida harvest will decrease by -70% (149,570 T), Tarragona's by -68% (12,050 T), Barcelona's by -59% (2,500 T) and Girona's by -22% (1,440 T).

Frost in early April damaged much of the production. Those were the most severe frosts in the last 40 years. Also on April 20 and 23, 2 hail storms affected some productive areas. The first did not cause serious damage, but the second affected around 500 hectares.

The cherry harvest is projected to decrease -36% with a total of 5.287 T, and the plum crop to drop -47% with a volume of 2.622 T.

In addition, a delay of between 5 and 12 days is expected in the harvest throughout Catalonia.

So far in the apricot harvest, a decrease of 67% is expected in Catalonia (2.970 T) and 85% in Aragon (2.988 T).