The Fepex Stone Fruit Committee estimates that production in Spain will drop 15% this season compared to that of 2019, in line with the reduction of between 15 and 20% estimated by producers in the sector in Italy or the decrease predictable in France, not yet quantified.
Sources of the Spanish Federation of Associations of Exporting Producers of Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers and Live Plants (Fepex) have detailed that Andalusia and Murcia are already in the middle of the stone fruit campaign and that in Extremadura it is starting now.
The Andalusian association Asociafruit has confirmed its estimate in early May of 40 million kilos of peach and nectarine (49 million in 2019) and Apoexpa has announced for Murcia a 20% decrease in the earlier varieties, a percentage that will be less for those of half station.
In the growing areas of Aragon and Catalonia, where harvesting has not yet started, the estimated cut will range between 15% and 20%, according to Fepex.
For this fruit and vegetable organization, the decrease in stone fruit production has been largely due to a reduction in the surface, which has been around 2,000 hectares in both Catalonia and Extremadura.
As for demand, they have pointed out that it remains fluid after the uncertainty that existed a few weeks ago regarding consumer behavior due to the exceptional situation caused by COVID-19.
In May 2019, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) predicted for that year a production of peach, plum, apricot and cherry of 1,429.3 million tons, representing an increase of 14.07% compared to the 2018 (1,252.9 million tons).
Source: www.fyh.es
