European peach and nectarine volumes set to rise

Stonefruit volumes are expected to increase slightly in Europe in 2011, but producers are more relieved by the timing of the season

Having experienced a significant delay of up to two weeks last season due to unusually low temperatures, European peach and nectarine producers are welcoming the expected return to a normal production schedule this year.

In terms of volumes, a slight increase of 2 per cent is forecast over 2010's results, with the total European crop expected to reach 2.86m tonnes, according to figures released by Europêch' at last week's Medfel trade fair in Perpignan, France.

The largest producer country, Italy, is expected to see a fall of 2 per cent compared with last season, with volumes forecast at 1.45m tonnes.

This would represent a drop of 3 per cent in contrast to the 2005-2009 average, thanks mostly to a dramatic fall of 22 per cent in clingstone peach production.

In Spain, volumes are forecast to rise by 10 per cent to some 802,604 tonnes, with peach volumes increasing by 12 per cent to 365,134 tonnes and nectarines increasing by 8 per cent to 437,470 tonnes.

This total volume would mark a rise of 19 per cent over the five-year average, aided by a 25 per cent increase in peach production and a 14 per cent rise in nectarine volumes.

Spanish production of clingstone peaches, on the other hand, is in decline, with orchards being uprooted to make way for other varieties. 2011 volumes are expected to be 27 per cent lower than the 2005-2009 average.

Meanwhile, the planted area for flat peaches is on the rise, with production expected to reach around 81,550 tonnes this season, up from last year's 55,000 tonnes.

In France, total production is forecast to fall by 3 per cent to 308,713 tonnes, a 15 per cent drop compared with the five-year average.

While peach and nectarine volumes are expected to fall compared with last year, by 4 and 2 per cent respectively, clingstone peach production is anticipated to rise by 4 per cent.

According to Bruno Darnaud, president of AOP Pêches et Nectarines France, peach volumes are likely to rise in the future as phytosanitary issues related to apricots encourage French farmers to switch from apricot to peach production.

In Greece, stonefruit volumes are expected to rise by 8 per cent this season, to some 298,200 tonnes.

Increases of 9 per cent for peaches and 4 per cent for nectarines are forecast to make up for the anticipated 11 per cent drop in clingstone peach production.

The total volume marks a decrease of 3 per cent compared with the 2005-2009 average, with clingstone peach volumes down 26 per cent.