Decrease in size of apples and pears in Spain

Spanish pears and apples this season are slightly smaller than before, according to the Apple and Pear Committee of the Spanish Federation of Associations of Exporting Producers of Fruit, Vegetables, Flowers and Live Plants, FEPEX. The reduced size is due to water stress and extreme heat this summer. However, both fruits meet the same quality requirements as always.

Joan Serentill, Chairman of the Committee, commented that in Spain, the consumer has always preferred larger-sized fruit, while in other European countries the smaller calibers are more popular. "We are sure that the consumer understands that the fruit is a 100% natural product and will know how to value the quality of our fruit, even if it is a little smaller this year," said the president.

According to the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), June 2022 was very hot and July extremely hot, with average temperatures in mainland Spain of 21.8 °C in June and 25.6 °C in July (2.7 °C above average). This month of July was the warmest since the beginning of the series recorded by the AEMET (1961), having exceeded July 2015 by 0.2 °C, which was the warmest to date.

The high temperatures have lasted until the end of August and have affected production sites in the north and the center, the main apple and pear producing areas in Spain.

(source: fepex.es)