Stonefruit production in Catalonia is expected to rise by 3 per cent this season compared with the same period of 2009, with the increases likely to be particularly apparent in peaches and nectarines.
According to estimates released by the Spanish region’s department of agriculture and producers’ association Catalonia Qualitat, growers in Catalonia are expected to produce 320,000 tonnes of stonefruit this season, including 132,100 tonnes of peaches and 129,400 tonnes of nectarines.
At a press conference in the city of Lleida earlier this week, the Catalan government and Catalonia Qualitat revealed that there had been a major increase in production of Paraguayo peaches, a variety that now accounts for a quarter of all red peaches grown in the region.
However, the association told news agency EFE that despite production of both red peaches and nectarines increasing, there had been a “clear reduction” in the cultivation of Pavía – a variety of small, red peaches – with production likely to drop to 58,350 tonnes.
But, Catalonia Qualitat also pointed out that, if achieved, the forecasts will see the region returning to “normal” stonefruit production levels after the 2009 harvest was damaged by heavy hailstone showers.
