European consumers are acquiring a taste for flat peaches. Their low acidity, virtually fuzz-free skin and small size make the variety –also known as Paraguayo – an ideal snack, feeding into the growing trend for on-the-go nutrition. Retailers too are getting behind the fruit which has featured regularly in supermarket promotions throughout Europe this summer.
According to Catalonian fruit association Afrucat, flat peach acreage has overtaken round peaches for the first time this year, exceeding 5,500ha in the region. Manel Simon, president of fruit association Afrucat claims the region’s growing specialisation in this variety means it is the only production region in Europe able to supply the market in high volumes.
For Pepe Escoms, stonefruit fruit manager at Anecoop, it’s clear to see why the product has caught on. “Much of their success comes from the intrinsic characteristics of the product – the white flesh, sweet aroma, flavour and fact that they are easy to eat makes them popular with all age groups,” he said.
Anecoop saw a 60 per cent increase in its flat peach production between 2009 and 2014, reflecting the general trend across the country. Spain leads the way in terms of European production, and while plantings have slowed in the last couple of years, volumes are forecast to rise by 12 per cent year-on-year in 2015 as a result of investments made in the past five years.
According to Total Produce, “there’s already a fair supply of Spanish stonefruit although perhaps not as much as last year as late spring frosts took their toll”.
The Spanish season runs from May to September, with the bulk of production located in Catalonia, Aragón and Murcia. Indeed, volumes of flat peaches are set to exceed round peaches for the first time this year in Catalonia, making up 27 per cent of the region’s total peach and nectarine volume.
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