EU apple harvest down. How many apples will harvest Moldova in 2024?

Apple producers in Moldova are expected to harvest about 14% fewer fruits this season compared to 2023. Thus, for 2024, an apple harvest of approximately 450 thousand tons is estimated.

The decrease in global production is due to drought, reduction of apple orchards caused by deforestation, unfavorable weather conditions, and limited access to irrigation.

“Out of the quantity of 447 thousand tons, it is estimated that approximately 134 thousand tons will be destined for exports, thus maintaining the level of 2023,” says Iurie Fala, Executive Director of Moldova Fruct Association.

The apple harvest forecast was developed during July 1-17, 2024, based on surveys conducted among Moldova Fruct members, information provided by regional specialists, and data supplied by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, as well as the Agricultural Directorates of Briceni, Soroca, and Edineț districts.

“The trend of decreasing global apple production is not limited to the Republic of Moldova but extends to the European Union (EU) level. These trends were presented at the annual Prognosfruit Conference 2024, organized by the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA), which Moldova Fruct participated in, August 7-9, with the support of the USAID Competitiveness and Rural Resilience project. According to the data presented at the event, the total apple production in the EU for 2024 is estimated at 10.2 million tons, representing a decrease of 11.32% compared to last year and 13.58% compared to the average of the last three years,” mentions Iurie Fala.

The largest decrease is recorded in Poland, which, due to spring frosts, lost up to 19.6% of its apple harvest (from 3.97 million tons in 2023 to 3.19 million tons in 2024).

Regarding the main varieties, in the EU, the largest decrease is recorded in Idared production -18.4%, followed by Gala with -11.1% and Golden Delicious with -10.2%. Red Delicious production is estimated to increase by 2.8%.

Moldova Fruct Association is a member of the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA) and has been participating in the Prognosfruit Conference since 2018.