According to Agreste, on the 1st November 2015, national apple production was estimated 7% higher than the 2014 harvest, reaching 1.63 million tons, which is within the 2010-2014 average. Tree load, calibre, sanitary conditions and fruit colouring is, overall, up to par and the harvest occurred under favourable conditions.
In all production regions, rain in the autumn favoured an increase in calibre. Even in the Midi-Pyénées, where apple harvest is the latest, the production is better than the small production of 2014, despite damage from storms at the end of August.
The season started slowly in terms of commercialisation, with a slight delay in the South East. Commercialisation is more significant at export than on the national market. In September demand for large export was high, less so for demand towards the EU due to local production from other EU members arriving on the market.
Prices have been more sustained than the same time last year (+24%/ Sept. 2014). They decreased at the end of October, but remained above the 2010-2014 average (+8%). Prices at export are higher than on the domestic market.
Asia fuelled exports in October, whilst elsewhere large export sales slowed down. Exports on the European market where calmer and in competition from Italy.
Prognosfruit announced that European 2015 apple production was lower than the 2014 production (-5%), but 11% above the 2010-2014 average. Countries in North Europe will see their production decrease over the year : Germany (-21%), Belgium (-19%), Holland (-7%).
Over the 2014-2015 season, the turnover index decreased by 24% over a year and by 15% compared to the 2010-2014 average, due to a decrease in production and low prices.