The traditional medFEL crop predictions were revealed this morning. 2021 was a catastrophic year for the European apricots due to the frost that affected all production basins and caused significant losses. In 2022, the frost episodes were particularly severe in Spain, the most affected country.
This year, the European apricot production should reach 503,561 tons, compared to 538,601 tons in 2022, which is a 7% decline.
2% increase for the French production
After two deficit years (2020 and 2021) due to the frost, last year's production returned to more satisfactory levels with a harvest of 123,000 tons. The absence of frost in 2023 means that the production should reach 125,000 tons, a 2% increase compared to 2022 and 16% compared to the 2017/2021 average.
- Languedoc-Roussillon 39,006 tons
- Rhône-Alpes 69,240 tons
- PACA 17,416 tons
Total of 125,662 tons
The continued decline in surface areas in France makes it impossible to reach the 150,000 tons of the previous years (2017, 2015).
There is clearly some concern regarding the drought and lack of water, especially in Roussillon.
Great recovery for Spain after several complicated years
Last year, Spain experienced a production deficit around 65,000 tons. The northern regions, Catalonia and Aragon were the most affected by the frost.
No frost was reported this year. Instead, the mild winter and lack of cold weather in some regions was followed by a sudden arrival of cold and alternating temperatures at the end of winter.
99,000 tons are therefore expected this year, which is 52% more than last year, but 16% less than the 2017/2021 average, compared to a production potential of 130,000 to 150,000 tons.
- Valencia 2,050 tons
- Murcia 39,000 tons
- Aragon 25,743 tons
- Catalonia 11,006 tons
- Castilla La mancha 14,000 tons
- Other regions 6,940 tons
- Total Spain 2023: 98,739 tons (compared to 64,793 tons in 2022)
+52% compared to 2022
-16% compared to the 2017/2021 average of 117,866 tons
Greek production similar to last year
Last year's apricot production reached 75,000 tons (+36% compared to 2021).
For 2023, the production should reach 76,000 tons, identical to 2022 but still short of the production potential and 6% lower than the 2017/2021 average.
The Italian production is down compared to 2022
This year’s production is expected to be lower, with 203,000 tons compared to 275,614 tons in 2022, a deficit of 26% compared to 2022 and 13% compared to the 2017/2021 average of 234,593 tons.
The apricot production has been affected to varying degrees depending on the production basin due to the return of cold weather.
- Emilia Romagna 47,567 tons
- Southern Italy/Sicily/Sardinia 135,557 tons
- Other regions 20,036 tons