Apple production in the province of Girona has bounced back following last year’s hailstorms, with volumes set to rise by 30 per cent to 90,940 tonnes in 2014. However, output in Lleida are set to fall slightly (-6 per cent) to 154,650 tonnes.
According to the latest estimates released this week by the Catalan Agriculture Department, Caam, overall apple output in Cataluña will rise by 4 per cent to 268,000 tonnes. The forecast suggests there will be less fruit per tree, but that sizes will be somewhat better than last year. Caam noted that there had been fewer hailstorms this year and that these had caused only localised damage.
The general trend shows that output has generally increased in orchards that were affected by hail last year but fallen slightly in other areas.
Pear production in Cataluña is expected to fall by 7 per cent in 2014, reaching 196,120 tonnes. Like apples, lower quantities of fruit will be available but average fruit size is expected to be larger. Fruit quality is said to be good, with high brix levels and adequate russeting reported in Conference. Harvesting is running seven to 12 days ahead of normal.
Meanwhile, the Pera de Lleida PDO is due to kick off its 2014 campaign on Sunday by inviting consumers to harvest the first season pears in a PDO-certified orchard. Fifteen families have been selected through a competition organised by the regulatory council of the PDO in association with a Barcelona-based supermarket chain. They will receive an expenses paid trip to Lleida, during which they will meet with the council’s president, Ramon Sarroca before being invited to harvest the pears.
