The main EU-28 producers of fresh peaches and nectarines are Italy, Spain, Greece and France. The production area of peaches and nectarines in the EU had stabilized in MY 2012/13 at around 225,120 ha after continuously falling in the previous years and according to FAS post projections the production area is projected to remain stable in MY 2013/14 with 224,400 ha planted. This is the result of productivity and competition between different Member States where Spain is gaining ground. Total production of peaches and nectarines in MY 2013/14 for the EU-28 is estimated at 3.97 million MT, 7.3 percent lower compared to 4.28 million MT registered in the previous campaign MY 2012/2013, due to unfavorable weather conditions. The exception is overall Spanish production of peaches which was favorable despite the losses suffered as a result of the February frost. There has been an increase of early and mid-season peaches, mainly due to good flowering and fruit set, as well as the entry into production of new varieties. Consumption of peaches and nectarines is projected to remain fairly stable at 3 MMT.
The EU is a net exporter of peaches, with exports largely exceeding imports. The main supplier of peaches to the EU is Chile, with an increasing competition from South Africa. The EU’s imports of peaches and nectarines were valued at 86.1 million USD in MY 2012/13, a 2 percent decrease from the previous year.
The EU’s exports of peaches and nectarines were valued at 449 million USD in MY 2012/13, a 15 percent increase from the previous year. The main destinations for EU-28 peaches continue to be Russia, Ukraine and Switzerland.
The main EU-28 producers of fresh cherries are Poland, Italy, and Spain. Traditionally Germany was in forth position, but according to FAS projection in MY 2013/2014, Greece will surpass German cherry production. According to FAS projections the total EU planted area of cherries will slightly increase in MY 2013/14 to just over 178,500 ha. This is mostly due to growth in area in Poland. Other producing MS report constant area planted with cherries. Total production in MY 2013/14 is projected at 784,123 MT, a value that is stable comparing to than last season despite the unfavorable weather conditions in some of the main producing countries. This stable value is mainly due to the production growth in Poland, Greece and France. Consumption of fresh cherries in the EU is estimated at close to 570 MT in MY 2013/14, stable with the previous year, but in general decreasing little by little.
The EU is a net importer of cherries and these are sourced mostly from Turkey, the world’s leading cherry producer. The EU imports of fresh cherries were valued at 209 million USD in MY 2012/13, a 19.5 percent increase from the previous year. According to the GTA the EU imported 5 MT of cherries from the United States in MY 2012/13 which means a growth of 47.8 percent. These were valued at 24.4 million USD, a 22.4 percent growth from MY 2012/13. The main destinations for the major EU producers are other member states; the most important external destinations are Russia, Switzerland and Belarus. The EU exports of fresh cherries were valued at 72.8 million USD in MY 2012/13, an 8 percent increase from the previous year and 86 percent increase compared with MY 2010/11.
