2025 brought an unpredictable season to the stone fruit market

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 07. 25. 11:40

The 2025 stone fruit season is characterised by contrasting trends worldwide: while in some countries the decline in yields and the rise in prices are causing challenges, in others the market is determined by the expansion of supply or the improvement of export opportunities, according to the summary of the National Chamber of Agriculture (NAK). Weather extremes, the development of the production areas and international demand continue to play a key role in the room for manoeuvre of producers and exporters.

In Spain, the harvest has fallen significantly, especially due to damage caused by heat and hail. Despite this, the yield of stone fruit in Catalonia is still above the average of the past five years. The extreme heat has increased domestic demand, and prices in some fruit categories have increased by up to 60%.

In France, the picture is mixed: the supply of apricots is increasing, but the yield of peaches is decreasing. In Italy, yields are declining, but crop quality is stable and prices are on the rise.

In the Netherlands, the shortage of peaches is particularly noticeable, with the market dominated by imported plums. In Germany, on the other hand, there is strong consumer demand, but market prices are still on the decline.

In Ukraine, frost damage and the effects of the Russian-Ukrainian war have severely affected cherry and apricot growing regions. Supply is disrupted, and producers have suffered significant losses. In Morocco, on the other hand, production is taking place in stable growing areas, with the main export destinations being the United Kingdom and Germany.

Although the crop in Turkey has decreased, export opportunities remain favorable. Good quality, early-harvested fruit is arriving on the market from California. In Lebanon, however, cherry export volumes have decreased while prices have doubled – this also shows how sensitive the market is to shifts in balance.