EU apple harvest confirmed below 10 million tonnes 

The 2026 season is set to be one of the leanest apple harvests in the European Union for years, with fruit volumes falling below 10 million tonnes. This is according to forecasts from the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA) presented on 6 August at the Prognosfruit conference, which counts Interpoma among its event partners. 

Record-low EU harvest around 9,5 million tonnes 

Looking in detail at the data released at Prognosfruit, EU production for 2026 is estimated at 9.5 million tonnes, the lowest figure recorded in the past nine years, down 16% on the previous season and 14% below the three-year average. 

Italy stable, Spain and Greece up 

Poland, particularly hard-hit by frost, will see one of the most significant declines, with production of 2.7 million tonnes (-30%). France will register a 24% drop to around 1.2 million tonnes, a decline driven mainly by aphids and pathogens. Germany is down, at 1 million tonnes (-11%), along with Belgium (-25%) and the Netherlands (-17%). Italy has held up comparatively well, with 2.3 million tonnes marking a 2% fall. Spain, by contrast, is up 8%, while Greece is approaching 300,000 tonnes with a 53% increase. 

Fuji stable, new varieties up 9%                  

By variety, the sharpest declines in 2026 are seen in Golden Delicious and Gala, down 11% and 9% respectively. Red Delicious (-5%) and Granny Smith (-4%) are also down, while Fuji is holding steady (+1%) and new varieties are up 9%, approaching 700,000 tonnes. On quality, WAPA's forecasts point to slightly smaller fruit sizes than last year and an earlier harvest in many countries. 

For more predictions about the EU appoe market you can click here.