Apples: Harvest Update and Significant Export Demand
October 29th 2024
Producers, wholesalers, distributors, and industry professionals gathered for the ANPP campaign launch day on August 28 in Paris. The event featured volume forecasts, economic assessments, technical updates, and the 2024/2025 communication plan. Daniel Sauvaitre, president of the ANPP, opened the event, noting the similarities to previous years.
Stable Apple Production with Market Demand
In France, the apple harvest is expected to be similar to last year, with a production of 1.463 million tonnes. Vincent Guérin, head of economic affairs at ANPP, commented that while volumes are stable, they remain below full potential due to structural yield declines. Despite this, professionals remain optimistic given the European context. Prognosfruit's early August forecasts indicated a significant drop in European supply, particularly in Poland, which was heavily impacted by spring frost. French stocks are slightly high at 59,000 tonnes but are not alarming compared to European stocks.
Strong Export Demand for French Apples
Both conventional and organic international varieties (Golden, Gala, Granny) continue to decline, while club varieties are gradually increasing, and local varieties are maintaining their position. Export demand remains strong, mirroring 2023. The last harvest saw a positive dynamic, with 25,000 tonnes more than the previous campaign, thanks to regained market shares in Europe. While exports to the Far East and Middle East are structurally declining, the American continent, especially the south, shows growth in volumes.
The ANPP emphasized to commercial partners that price remains crucial. Despite efforts, production costs remain high, and 2024 orchard prices are similar to last year. January's agricultural protests highlighted the significant technical and regulatory constraints on French growers, creating real distortions with other European producers.
Abundant Summer Pear Harvest Expected
In 2023, prices were higher than the previous five years, with an acceleration at the end of the campaign, averaging €0.93/kg for bulk and €1.10/kg for packed, while Kantar recorded average sales prices of €2.19/kg. However, the campaign did not achieve economic balance, hindering investments in orchard renewal. Pierre Venteau, director of the ANPP, stressed the need for downstream actors' involvement to ensure the campaign's commercial success and the sector's sustainability.
After a deficit campaign in 2023, the French pear situation seems to be improving, with an expected 119,200 tonnes in 2024. In Europe, the summer pear harvest should be abundant, while winter varieties, particularly Conference, will be deficient. A rapid market adjustment is anticipated.
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