Original content
Pistachio prices in Spain are under downward pressure as the harvest comes into full swing. Pistachio kernel prices in major wholesale markets in Madrid, Spain, have decreased by 7% month-on-month to USD 13.88/kg. However, due to a hot and dry summer, with unexpected late rains during the harvest question marks over the size of the crop remain, limiting downward price risk. Prices are expected to move sideways over the next few days and pick a direction once more clarity on the crop is gained.
Spain apple growers expect an increase in fresh apple volumes, reaching 536,000 metric tons (mt), around 30% year-over-year (YoY) higher than last year.
Catalonia's apple crop is projected to reach 266,100 mt, 22% YoY higher than 2022 and 1% below the five-year average. Harvesting is expected to begin 5 to 7 days earlier in Lleida and Girona regions due to drought and high summer temperatures.
Aragonese farmers also anticipate a higher harvest volume of fresh apples, with 104,000 mt. The apple fruit harvesting campaign has begun, with better forecasts than last year. The Valdejalón region (La Almunia de Doña Godina) is the primary area for apple plantations. However, farmers fear heat and drought will affect fruit size and harvesting work. Fruits in other areas, such as La Almunia de Doña Godina in Zaragoza, also face challenges due to high temperatures and burnt fruit. The crop requires high humidity and sunlight, but it is declining in Aragon due to various factors.
Significantly higher apple quantities have driven price decline for most apple varieties in Spain. At the same time, Fuji showed the most substantial fall, with a 25.89% week-over-week (WoW) drop to USD 1.66 per kilogram (kg) in W4 of Sep-23. Gala apples plummeted 22.43% WoW to USD 1.21/kg, while Granny Smith marked a 20.31% WoW downfall to USD 1.53/kg.
Tridge foresees further price decline of fresh apples in Spain as the peak harvest approaches in the upcoming period.
Trade4go
Sep 25th, 2023
