The EU's usable apple production in 2024 is expected to decrease by 6.3%, to 11.1 million tonnes (3.6% below the 5-year average), according to the latest DGAgri estimate.

This is driven by a lower harvest in the main producing countries in the EU (e.g., -12% year-on-year in DE, -10% in FR, -9% in PL), which is the result of an estimated reduction in the harvested area (-4% year-on-year), and unfavorable weather conditions that negatively affected yields and fruit quality.

In total, 7.1 million tonnes of apples are expected to be used for fresh consumption (-5.7% annually) and 4.1 million tonnes for processing (-5.2%). The share of apples going into processing is expected to be similar to the last marketing year.

Due to lower availability and persistent inflationary pressures, per capita consumption of fresh apples in the EU could fall to 14.3 kg (7% less than in the last marketing year). For processed apples, it is expected to remain stable at 8.5 kg.

After a significant decrease in 2022/2023, final stocks of fresh apples are expected to remain relatively stable at around 0.3 million tonnes (29% below the 5-year average). (Photo: Freepik)