EU: Fresh Deciduous Fruit Annual 2012 - Unfavorable Weather Affects 2012 Crop

Important fruit producing areas in EU-27 countries were affected by a range of unfavorable weather conditions, including a cold and wet spring, localized hail, high winds, and summer drought. This results in lower fruit production estimates for marketing year (MY) 2012/13. Commercial apple production is forecast at 9.8 MMT (minus 9 percent), commercial pear production at 2.1 MMT (minus 22 percent) and table grape production at 1.8 MMT (minus 5 percent).