The UK Cox apple crop will be down on forecast volumes largely because of massive variations in fruit size, while industry leaders are calling on the World Apple & Pear Association (WAPA) to revisit European crop forecasts as they fear a similar pattern is being repeated across Europe.
“The Cox harvest reached its peak last week and although we don’t have the final figures yet, it will be down on forecasts,” said English Apples & Pears ceo Adrian Barlow.
“This is largely because we are seeing far greater variations between orchards than we have ever seen before in loads on trees and fruit size. Traditionally early orchards have been late and late sites have been early. It is an extraordinary topsy-turvy situation.”
Barlow expects that Cox could be 15-20 per cent down on last season’s volumes but Gala output has risen.
“The Gala crop is looking like it will be 10 per cent up on last year,” Barlow added. “This is in marked contrast to the continent where Gala looks like it is below forecast.”
Low temperatures in early spring and late frosts have been a contributory factor to the issue. “The pattern we are seeing is very, very unusual and quite different from normal,” warned Barlow. “We have asked WAPA to look at doing an updated forecast as we are aware that many countries are picking below expectation.
“It might even be the case that we will have insufficient crop in Europe to accommodate full demand.”
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