Belgian top-fruit growers are predicting a large, high-quality apple and pear crop for 2005, contrary to previous negative forecasts.
Ideal weather conditions with no frost during blossoming, plus a summer with a relatively high rainfall and fairly ideal temperatures, are boosting expectations.
“The percentage of fruit with frost rings is very low,” said Filiep Callewaert, managing director of the auction Profruco. “The quality of the pears will be high, despite the fact the Conference variety tends to develop a bit of roughening of the skin. With Durondeau and Doyenne we’re even expecting exceptional juiciness and no roughening of the skin.”
In late July Prognosfruit suggested this year’s crop would be eight per cent lower than in 2004. However, Callewaert said: “I expect the decrease to be around four per cent, perhaps even as little as two per cent.
“That will put us on par with the European average, with a three per cent decrease expected in the 25 European Union member states for apples and pears.
“The revised forecast is due to the weather we’ve been having: temperatures around 20°C and regular showers.”
The emergence of new apple varieties has also boosted the Belgian yield. For example, Braeburn and Gala now represent 10.8 per cent of the country’s output. However, Jonagold is still the main variety, accounting for nearly 50 per cent of the crop while Jonagored represents 21 per cent.
Despite the expected increase in quality, it seems likely that prices will remain around the same level. Callewaert said: “During the last season the average price was low. I don't expect any price rises at the start of the new season, but they should reach more normal levels later.
