French production of apples and pears is set to decline in 2010 with many of the main apple varieties losing ground.
At the annual Prognosfruit conference, which took place in Kiev, Ukraine last week, the French apple and pear association (ANPP) is forecasted a decline in apple and pear production of 4.3 per cent and 13.9 per cent respectively for 2010.
French apple production is anticipated to fall from 2009's 1.65 million tonnes to 1.58mt this year, although this last figure is still up on 2008's 1.53mt.
The main French apple varieties are all expected to lose ground, with Golden Delicious, Royal Gala, Granny Smith and Braeburn forecast to fall by 4.1 per cent, five per cent, 5.4 per cent and 20.3 per cent respectively.
Niche apple varieties, on the other hand, are anticipated to prosper, with Pink Lady, Ariane and Jazz expected to rise by 7.2 per cent, 5.5 per cent and 7.7 per cent respectively.
As for French pears, production is forecast to fall to 174,000t, down from last year's 202,000t, but an improvement on the 157,000t produced in 2008.
Production of all the principal varieties is expected to decline, with Guyot, Williams and Conference forecast to fall by 9.8 per cent, 15.1 per cent and 3.5 per cent respectively, and with Comice and Passe Crassane both predicted to plummet by some 33.3 per cent.
