The latest data on EU agricultural markets shows that both production and consumption of fresh apples (one of the specialised crops highlighted in the report) are declining in the bloc, due to several factors. The report states that, ‘EU production of apples in 2023/24 is estimated to be at a three-year low due to production area reductions and unfavourable weather conditions in the main producing countries, negatively impacting consumption.
EU production is expected to decrease by 6.3% to 11.1m tonnes this year (3.6% below the five-year average), driven by a lower harvest in the main producing countries (down 12% year-on-year in Germany, 10% in France, and 9% in Poland) partly due to an estimated reduction in area harvested (down 4% year-on-year), and unfavourable weather conditions which impacted negatively the yield and quality of the fruit. Of this, 7.1m tonnes are expected to be used for fresh consumption (down 5.7% year-on-year) and 4.1m tonnes for processing (down 5.2%), with the share of apples going into processing expected to be similar to the last marketing year.
Driven by lower availability and persistent inflationary pressures, the report suggests that the EU per capita consumption of fresh apples could decline to 14.3kg (7% below the last marketing year). For processed apples consumption is expected to remain stable at 8.5kg. After a significant decline in 2022/23, season-end stocks of fresh apples are expected to remain relatively stable at around 0.3m tonnes (29% below the five-year average).