The latest figures from the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA) show that, for the period to 1 June 2023, European apple stocks decreased by 23.4% from 2022 levels to 712,212 tonnes, while pear stocks decreased by 25.4% to 54,370 tonnes. Apple and pear stocks also reduced in the USA in the same period.
The decrease was mainly represented by the following apple varieties: Golden Delicious down by 36.5%, Idared by 20.1%, Jonagold by 44.7%, Gala by 22.7%, Fuji by 67.5% and Granny Smith by 23.8%. Cripps Pink increased by 225.6%. For pears, the Conference volume was down 3.7% and Alexandrina was down 41.1%.
In terms of countries, the biggest falls in apple volumes were recorded in Denmark (down 82.1% to 166 tonnes), Belgium (down 67.3% to 19,036 tonnes) and France (down 30.3% to 93,356 tonnes). According to the data, the UK saw the largest year-on-year increase in apple stocks, with the 29,821 tonnes in store as of 1 June being 170.6% of the figure for the same period in 2022.