The World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA) has published its December 1, 2024, stock figures, showcasing year-on-year (YOY) changes in apple and pear stocks across Europe and the United States. The data highlights regional trends, varietal shifts, and overall stock levels, FreshPlaza informs.
European apple and pear stocks
European apple stocks slightly decreased by -0.7% YOY, reaching 4,260,553 tons compared to 4,291,700 tons in December 2023. Major reductions were recorded in Austria (-34.9%), Belgium (-25.8%), and Denmark (-39.1%), with Austria’s stocks dropping to 60,350 tons, down from 92,743 tons in 2023. Conversely, Spain (Catalonia) and Switzerland reported increases, with Spain’s stocks rising by 8.5% to 224,851 tons, up from 207,177 tons in 2023.
Pear stocks in Europe increased by 1.4% YOY, reaching 671,028 tons, compared to 661,519 tons in December 2023. The most significant growth came from Italy, where stocks surged by 270.4%, totaling 1210,190 tons compared to 32.445 tons in 2023. On the other hand, Belgium and the Czech Republic experienced significant declines, with Belgium’s pear stocks falling by -29.7% to 187,286 tons.
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US apple and pear stocks
In the United States, apple stocks as of December 1, 2024, stood at 2,313,931 tons, reflecting a -2.4% YOY decrease from 2,370,264 tons in 2023. The decline was driven by varieties such as Idared (-37.5%) and Golden Delicious (-15.1%), while Cosmic Crisp saw a significant increase of 70.6%. Pink Lady also grew by 29.8%, reaching 197,392 tons, up from 152,477 tons in 2023.
US pear stocks dropped by -22.6% YOY, totaling 137,431 tons, down from 177,628 tons in 2023. The largest decline was observed in Bosc pears (-68.4%), while Concorde experienced a dramatic increase of 125%, rising to 95 tons from 42 tons. Despite these shifts, Anjou pears, the leading variety, saw a smaller decrease of -12.7%, totaling 88,100 tons, down from 100,952 tons in 2023.
Key trends
European apple stocks saw significant decreases in regions such as Austria and Belgium, driven by reductions in popular varieties like Jonagold and Golden Delicious. However, increases in varieties like Pink Lady and Cosmic Crisp in both Europe and the US highlighted the growing popularity of certain premium apples.
On the pear front, the growth in Italian stocks, particularly Abate Fetel, was a standout in Europe, while the US saw steep declines in Bosc stocks.
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