More apples, fewer pears for Catalonia

Catalonia’s apple harvest is expected to weigh in at 268,770 tonnes this year, 13 per cent higher than in 2023 and 3 per cent above the five-year average. All varieties are up compared to last year, notably Fuji, Granny Smith and Gala.

However, Joan Serentill, president of the Afrucat Seed Committee, noted that despite the increase, Catalonia is still nowhere near reaching its productive potential. In the last five years the region has experienced a series of inclement climatic events including drought, hailstone and frost that have impacted the crop.

Manel Simon, general director of Afrucat, commented: “Despite these figures, what is clear is that we are planting more apples and pears and that the objective of these new productions is to recover the Spanish market and replace the competition.”

Simon highlighted that Golden, Fuji and Gala apples are the most planted varieties in Lleida, while Golden, other autumn apples and Cripps Pink are the most planted in Girona. In pears, Conference stands out as the most planted variety, followed by William’s, Ercollini and Limonera.

Joan Gòdia, general director of Agri-Food Companies, Quality and Gastronomy of the Department of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda, spoke of the importance of research to face new climate challenges. He stressed that “sustainability is one of the pillars of Catalonia’s food strategy that is reinforced by the promotion of local consumption”.

The Catalan pear harvest is forecast to reach 77,200 tonnes in 2024. This is 36 per cent down on last year and 39 per cent below the five-year average. The impact of last year’s drought, together with high temperatures, affected floral induction and curbed production.

Harvest dates are expected to be similar to those of a normal year, Afrucat said.