The Ministry of Agriculture in Russia projects an apple yield of 1.6 million tons by the end of 2024. According to Oksana Lut, the head of the ministry, while speaking at the Bioprom 24 forum, the forecast suggests a stable production volume, slightly lower than the previous year. The current production levels mean there's no immediate need to adjust import duties, although the ministry is considering tariff regulation for processed apple products like applesauce, juice, and puree. Lut highlighted the contribution of regions such as the south and the North Caucasus to the robust market situation for apples available for retail.
Lut also expressed optimism for Russian orchards to recover from the challenging conditions experienced this year, aiming for a resilient harvest next season despite climatic adversities. The ministry had initially reduced its apple production forecast from 1.8 million to 1.5 million tons due to May frosts, but subsequent adjustments in early September raised the estimate to 1.6 million tons, following a harvest of 1.7 million tons in 2023.
Source: Oreanda News