6/05/2007

Poland: apple crop will be 70% smaller than in 2006

The Polish fruit crop will be much smaller and prices will be much higher than in the previous season, especially in case of cherries, apricots, peaches and apples – announced representatives of the Research Institute of Pomology in Skierniewice.

According to prof. Augustyn Mika, losses on strawberry plantations were smaller than in orchards (only fruits of early strawberries were damaged) and the total crop can be 20-30% smaller than a year ago (194 thousand MT). In such a case, the strawberry crop will not meet the demand of processors. Prof. Mika also expects almost 100% losses in sweet cherry, apricot and peach orchards and around 90% in plum orchards (the losses on ‘Sweet Common Prune’ variety plantations are the smallest).

The pear crop will be probably around 30% smaller than a year ago (59 thousand MT). Relatively good yields of currants (red and black) and sour cherries are expected, though they will also be around 30% smaller than in previous season (195 thousand MT of sour cherries and 195 thousand MT of currants).

Apples are by far the most important type of Polish fruit. According to Mika’s forecast, the total apple crop in Poland will be around 70% smaller than in 2006 (2,3 million MT). The varieties damaged the most are ‘Idared’, ‘Ligol’ and ‘Jonagold’. Smaller losses are expected in case of ‘Gala’, Golden Delicious’ and ‘Elize’.

Apple juice processors in Poland can have major problems with raw material, since the yield of processing apples will be around 55% smaller comparing to 2006. Good crops are only expected for raspberries and gooseberries and black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa).
Source: freshplaza.com



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