Apple and pear production in Cataluña is set to contract once again in 2015 according to the latest estimates from producer association Afrucat, which blamed the continued uprooting of orchards, poor fruit set and strong winds in recent weeks for the fall. Apple output is set to reach 286,610 tonnes, a fall of 3 per cent on the 2014 total, while pear production will be down 14 per cent at 170,480 tonnes.
The apple crop in the main production area of Lleida is down by 3 per cent at 196,260 tonnes, while in Girona it is down 4 per cent at 87,360 tonnes. Sizes are reported to be normal and quality good, with an absence of russeting in Golden Delicious and a slight decrease in the number of fruits per tree, Afrucat said. Planted area has increased by 1 per cent this season.
Initial forecasts suggested that pear production would be 7 per cent lower in 2015 but Afrucat has now revised the figure downward to -14 per cent due to losses caused by strong winds earlier this month.
Cataluña’s apple production has fallen by 50 per cent in the past 20 years, while pear output has halved in 15 years. During this time the volume of Blanquilla pears produced in the region has dropped by 80 per cent due mainly to it being difficult to manage.
