NAK-FruitVeB: the harvest started earlier in the domestic apple orchards

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According to the estimates of the professional organizations, a weaker than average harvest is expected this year, and the amount harvested cannot cover the needs of the domestic food and processing industry. This year, approximately 150,000 tons less apples can be harvested on domestic plantations than last year. According to expectations, the amount of food grade apples will be around 90,000-100,000 tons, while industrial apples will be 220,000-240,000 tons. Due to the drought and the heat, the size of the fruits is smaller than usual, so – especially in the case of varieties with already small fruits – it is expected that the size that the table apple market will have to tolerate this year will be smaller. The amount that can actually be harvested can be influenced even significantly by the weather during the harvest period. In the best case, the yield may exceed 350,000 tons, while in the worst-case scenario, the actual yield will not even reach 300,000 tons, they added.

The fact that this year the farmers had to face almost all types of weather damage caused a significant crop loss

The extreme rainfall distribution, the early spring, and then the dry, long-lasting summer heat wave after the sudden cooling caused problems. It was announced: In Hungary, apple production takes place on 20,564 hectares. Apples are also produced in Heves, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok and Zala counties in the country, but our most important growing area is still Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county, where there are a total of 15,136 hectares of apple orchards.

The survey also points out that the harvest in the entire EU is weaker than average: instead of 11.5 million tons, 10.2 million tons are expected. Polish apples account for almost a third of the EU’s production, but this year, up to one and a half million tons of produce may be missing (3.2 million tons are expected instead of 4.5 million tons), which will certainly be reflected in the purchase prices.

Idared is still the dominant breed in Hungary

The variety selection is very wide, in addition to Jonagold and Idared, Gala, Golden Delicious and Red Delicious are also very popular. However, the cultivation of new varieties requires new technologies and new areas, many former plantations need renovation, they added. The analysis also covers the fact that the implementation of investments can be stimulated by new European Union tenders. The tender for planting horticultural plantations announced within the framework of the KAP Strategic Plan provides the sector with a support amount of over HUF 25 billion, while an additional HUF 50 billion is available for the establishment of cold stores, greenhouses, greenhouses covered with foil, and potato storage.

MTI