EU apple harvest to fall below 10 million tonnes as climate, pathogens drive sharp decline
These factors have created significant challenges for growers across the continent, with Poland and France experiencing the most severe impacts.
EUROPE – The European Union is preparing for its smallest apple harvest in nearly a decade, with total production expected to drop below 10 million tonnes due to severe weather and disease, according to forecasts from the World Apple and Pear Association.
EU production for 2026 is estimated at 9.5 million tonnes, the lowest in nine years, down 16% on the previous season and 14% below the three-year average.
Poland, particularly hard-hit by frost, will see one of the most significant declines, with production of 2.7 million tonnes, a 30% drop. France will register a 24% decline to around 1.2 million tonnes, driven mainly by aphids and pathogens.
On the other hand, Germany is down 11%, with Belgium at 25% and the Netherlands at 17%. Italy has held up comparatively well, with 2.3 million tonnes, marking a 2% fall. Spain is up 8%, while Greece is approaching 300,000 tonnes, with a 53% increase.
Furthermore, the sharpest declines in 2026 are seen in Golden Delicious and Gala, down 11% and 9%, respectively. Red Delicious is down 5%, and Granny Smith is down 4%, while Fuji is holding steady with a 1% increase.
New varieties are up 9%, approaching 700,000 tonnes. Climate change and pathogens are affecting European apple harvests through spring frosts, heatwaves, drought, hailstorms, and new phytosanitary threats, including aphids and diseases.
As a result, these factors have created significant challenges for growers across the continent, with Poland and France experiencing the most severe impacts.
In response to these challenges, the upcoming Interpoma trade fair will highlight the critical role of innovative spraying technology in sustaining industry competitiveness. The event aims to promote sustainable orchard management by showcasing digital tools that enhance treatment precision and reduce chemical waste.
The Interpoma Congress will explore “New Approaches in Spraying Technology: Efficiency meets sustainability” as experts examine solutions to transform orchard protection into a driver of strategic efficiency.
Furthermore, the conference will explore global market shifts, with a focus on emerging agricultural opportunities in Latin America. The second day of the Congress, titled “Regional Opportunities and Global Challenges: Latin America in Focus,” will offer an international strategic perspective on rapidly evolving apple-producing regions in Brazil, Chile, and Mexico.
Ultimately, the industry’s focus on technological innovation and sustainable practices will be essential for adapting to changing climate conditions and maintaining the competitiveness of European apple production.
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