Europe’s peach and nectarine market entered the second half of July with a larger crop, growing competition between supplying countries and increasingly different price dynamics across individual markets.
While Italian producer prices remain below last year’s levels, several French market indicators point to tighter availability and comparatively firm quotations. In Spain, meanwhile, the early production calendar and rising costs are becoming important factors for commercial planning during the final part of the campaign, EastFruit reports.
European production expected to recover in 2026
The 2026 European harvest of peaches and nectarines, excluding clingstone peaches for processing, was forecast by Europêch at approximately 2.74 million tonnes. This would be 8% more than the 2.53 million tonnes harvested in 2025. Production of clingstone peaches is forecast separately at around 665,000 tonnes, 10% above last year.
Spain remains the largest producer. Its combined harvest of peaches, nectarines and flat fruit is expected to approach 1.2 million tonnes, representing an increase of approximately 5% compared with 2025.
Italy’s production is forecast at 867,239 tonnes, up 3%, while French output is estimated at 224,027 tonnes, 4% above last year. The largest recovery is expected in Greece, where peach and nectarine production could reach 455,000 tonnes, 35% more than in the frost-affected 2025 season.
The return of Greek volumes and moderate production growth in Spain and Italy mean that European buyers have access to more fruit this season. However, current market data show that the impact on prices is not uniform.
Italian producer prices remain below 2025 levels
Official ISMEA monitoring for the second week of July shows that Italian grower prices for the principal peach and nectarine categories remained lower than one year earlier.
White-flesh peaches averaged €0.85/kg, down 15.3% year on year, while yellow-flesh peaches averaged €0.86/kg, a decline of 9.2%.
White-flesh nectarines were quoted at an average of €0.95/kg, 9.3% below the corresponding period of 2025. Yellow-flesh nectarines averaged €0.84/kg, down 12.8%.
The figures indicate that nectarines and peaches are facing considerable price pressure at the production stage, although the situation varies depending on region, variety, size and quality.
ISMEA’s individual market observations for 6–12 July also showed yellow-flesh peach prices of €1.05/kg in Ravenna, €0.90/kg in Bologna and €0.75/kg in Cosenza. These differences illustrate the importance of production area and commercial specification when comparing market quotations.
French market shows tighter conditions
The situation in France appears more supportive in some market segments.
FranceAgriMer’s Market News Network, RNM, described the nectarine market in south-eastern France on 13 July as remaining in deficit, with orders exceeding the immediately available supply.
On 15 July, white-flesh Rhône-Alpes nectarines in category I and AA size were quoted at around €2.90/kg at the shipping stage. Yellow-flesh Rhône-Alpes peaches in category I and AA size were quoted at approximately €2.80/kg.
Imported Spanish fruit was available at lower levels. At the Saint-Charles import market, Spanish yellow-flesh peaches in category I and A size were quoted at an average of €1.40/kg. At Rungis, Spanish yellow peaches in AA size averaged €2.40/kg, with the quotation increasing by €0.40/kg.
The wide range reflects differences in origin, calibre, packaging and stage of sale. It also shows why a single “European peach price” cannot accurately describe the market.
Catalan production costs reach €0.585/kg
Alongside current selling prices, production costs are becoming an increasingly important issue for Spanish growers.
A study presented at Afrucat’s headquarters on 14 July estimated the average 2026 production cost for peaches, nectarines and flat peaches in Catalonia at €14,298 per hectare. This is 10–15% higher than the average recorded during 2020–2024.
Based on an estimated yield of 24,431 kg per hectare, the average orchard-level production cost was calculated at €0.585/kg.
The study was carried out by CREDA-UPC-IRTA using farm-accounting data from the Catalan Agricultural Accounting Network and was commissioned by the regional Department of Agriculture.
When indicative packing and commercialisation expenses are included, the estimated cost of packed fruit rises to €1.234/kg. The authors emphasised that this figure should not be interpreted as a recommended selling price, but as an objective reference for evaluating production economics and commercial negotiations.
Earlier harvest could shorten the Spanish season
Afrucat also reported that the Catalan stone-fruit campaign is running ahead of its usual schedule.
Some varieties are being harvested approximately ten days earlier than in recent seasons and as much as twenty days earlier than the historical calendar. According to the association, the arrival of mid-season varieties with larger sizes has helped broaden the available range and reduce some of the downward price pressure seen at the beginning of the campaign.
However, the accelerated calendar could also result in an earlier end to the season. If this scenario is confirmed, availability may become more limited during the final weeks of the campaign, increasing the importance of coordinated retail programmes and supply planning.
Market increasingly divided by size and quality
The peach market in mid-July cannot be characterised simply as either oversupplied or undersupplied.
The European crop is larger, creating stronger competition between Spain, Italy, Greece and France. Italian grower-price data confirm significant year-on-year pressure, particularly for white peaches and yellow nectarines.
At the same time, official French observations show that selected peach and nectarine categories remain relatively tight and achieve considerably higher prices than standard imported products.
For suppliers, this market structure increases the importance of consistent eating quality, larger calibres, accurate grading, shelf life and reliable delivery programmes. As European supply expands, the gap between standard fruit and products meeting premium retail specifications is likely to become increasingly visible.
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