On April 24, in the framework of the Medfel fair, Europêche has released the European apricot harvest forecasts, which show stability across Europe compared to last year's harvest. The production is expected to reach 523,986 tons (a 0% variation compared to the 2023 campaign and a slight 2% increase compared to the 18-22 average).
The decreases in the French and Italian productions are noteworthy. The former is due to adverse weather conditions, with high temperatures in winter, and to the phenomenon of alternation between high and low yields following a very productive 2023. Thus, France will harvest 87,852 tons, 29% less than last year and 13% below the 18-22 average.
Greece, which will harvest 87,500 tons (6% less than in the previous campaign and 13% above the 18-22 average), is recovering its potential with a slight decrease in its earliest varieties due to a winter with high temperatures.
Italy, the most important producer, will harvest 214,282 tons of apricots (a similar quantity to that of last season, but 7% less compared to the 18-22 average). This decrease in the productive potential is due to the progressive reduction in the acreage observed in Italy in recent years.
Spain will harvest 134,352 tons of apricots (46% more compared to the previous campaign and 29% above the 18-22 average), with uneven forecasts depending on the region. Murcia is significantly increasing its productive potential, but the rest report stable figures.
Catalonia maintains its potential, with a slight 7% increase compared to 2023, following the water stress that the trees suffered last year as a result of drought.
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