Currently, the early growing areas of Spain are slowly but surely starting this year's stone fruit harvest. In a few weeks, the first apricots, peaches and nectarines will hit the German market. Compared to other fruit crops, stone fruit is considered to be particularly sensitive to weather conditions, which is why it is not uncommon for growers to suffer significant harvest losses. FreshPlaza.de spoke with several well-known importers, providing you the harvest forecasts to date.
Moderate season expected in terms of volume
The winter has been quite cool overall and the initial forecasts are quite encouraging, Roberto Tur of the Fresh Fruit Alliance in Friedrichshafen tells us. "Our growers have not seen any significant damage to crops so far. Since the trees bore little fruit in the past two years, they are comparatively somewhat more robust this year. Water resources are also sufficient at the moment. In May, however, there will be a cold front called La Gota Fria in certain regions, so things can still get exciting," Tur warns.
Overall, the Spain specialist is hoping for a normal season in terms of volume, after several years of large volume losses. "We will start with the early peaches and nectarines in week 15-16, followed by the first flat peaches in week 16-17 and apricots from week 17-18. The main volumes for all products will then hit the market from week 18," Tur says about the rest of the season.
Sebastian Ringwald from the fruit agency of the same name in Lahr/Black Forest sees the situation roughly similarly. "This year, the stone fruit campaign will start with a delay of about eight days due to the climate. The nectarines and peaches campaign should start in the last days of April. Apricots and cherries will then hit the market at the beginning of May," says Ringwald.
Vienna wholesale market: first early peaches from week 17
UVA Fruit Handels Ltd, based at Vienna's wholesale market, is still mainly focusing on the Turkish bell pepper and tomato business, but soon the first Spanish stone fruits will arrive here as well, Managing Director Ziya Sizgin tells us. "In mid-March, there have been temperatures of up to 30 degrees in some places, which has slowed down the growth of stone fruits. However, I am not aware of any major damage or losses so far," says the Viennese fruit importer.
A slightly delayed start to the season in the stone fruit category is also expected at the Vienna wholesale market, Sizgin added. "In week 17, the first Spanish early peaches are expected to arrive with us, and a good week later the complete stone fruit range should be available."
Volume slump expected for apricots
The start of the season is also now upon us at the internationally operating Fair Fruit Group with locations in Hungary, Germany, Spain and Portugal. "It has been too warm for a long time in both Portugal and Spain, so the trees have not received enough cold. However, we expect the first early apricots of the Borsalino variety in week 16-17, but the main volumes will not be available until week 18. Depending on the plant and variety, we have to expect a drop in volumes. With nectarines and peaches, on the other hand, we have not seen any significant shortfalls so far," says Andreas Pregartner.
For more information:
www.freshfruitalliance.eu
www.ringwald-fruchtimport.com
www.uvafruit.at
www.fairfruit.com