GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW STONE FRUIT

The season is also being shaped by changing varietal mixes, expanding flat fruit production, and varying export opportunities across regions. Retail programs remain an important sales channel, while exporters continue to assess market opportunities both within Europe and in overseas destinations as the season advances.France: Apricot volumes rise as stone fruit season beginsFrench apricot production is expected to increase by 3% in 2026 compared with last year, reaching a level slightly above the average harvest of the past five years. Forecasts have been revised downward following several hailstorms in the Rhône Valley, while the impact of late-May storms in the Gard department is still being assessed.In Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the harvest is expected to rise by 12% year-on-year despite hail damage in Ardèche and Drôme. Orchards generally show a good fruit load, particularly for the Bergeron variety, following favourable fruit set conditions. In Occitanie, the situation varies between production areas. In Gard, yields are close to the recent average but remain below the levels recorded in 2022 and 2023. In Roussillon, excessive rainfall during flowering caused fruit drop and is expected to reduce volumes by 25%. Combined with a 3% decline in planted area, regional production is forecast to decrease by 4%. In Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, production is expected to fall by 13%. Wet spring weather led to flower and fruit drop, affecting yields, while acreage is also down by 2%.The French peach and nectarine season has started slightly earlier than usual due to recent high temperatures. The first commercial volumes are reaching the market this week, with supply expected to reach between 4,000 and 5,000 tons as early as next week. Peak season is expected to begin at the end of June.Nectarines are expected to account for approximately 65% of marketed volumes, compared with 35% for peaches. The flat fruit segment continues to expand, with production expected to reach 4,500 tons, while nearly 2,000 tons of blood peaches are also forecast.A temporary supply gap between production from Murcia and that from Catalonia-Aragon could support French fruit in the coming weeks. Spanish prices are currently under pressure due to higher volumes, with Class B fruit quoted at between €1.70 and €1.80 per kilogram.Consumption trends will remain under close watch as the high temperatures experienced in recent days give way to cooler and wetter weather conditions.Italy: Market shifts as premium varieties enterAt the wholesale level, peaches and nectarines are performing well this year. Wholesale prices have already fallen by 10% compared with week 23 and currently range from €1.80 to €2.80/kg, depending on fruit size. Meanwhile, the season for early apricot varieties such as Mogador is coming to an end. Premium varieties, including Antonio Errani, the Tipo Cot range, Flopria, and Tsunami, are now entering the market and offer much higher quality. Prices for these varieties range from €2.30 to €3.00/kg.Following the Italian public holiday on 2 June and the associated holiday period, demand and prices for peaches and nectarines have slowed, according to a leading trader in northern Italy. "In Puglia, the most important production area at the moment, widespread hailstorms have caused significant problems. Unfortunately, a large quantity of second-grade fruit has also been released onto the market, contributing to a general decline in prices. Italian exports are likewise progressing slowly, as Spain remains the most competitive supplier. For equivalent sizes and quality standards, Spanish prices are lower than Italian ones by as much as €0.40/kg. This is mainly due to Italy's higher production costs. One positive aspect is the availability of larger fruit sizes, from AA upwards. In these cases, prices are very favourable, particularly in Italian wholesale markets."The commercial season for the flat nectarine Ondine is expected to begin at the end of June, with twice the volume available compared with last year. The Ondine variety is the result of an international project involving five countries. In Italy, production and commercial development have been entrusted to four selected partners.The apricot season is now underway in both southern and northern Italy. An entrepreneur from Calabria commented: "In the early production segment, availability is below potential output levels. Rainfall during flowering and several localised hail events have affected many orchards. Consequently, the initial phase of the season is characterised by lower volumes. However, since the beginning of June, we have seen a more consistent trend and an increase in available quantities. During this initial stage of the campaign, our focus is mainly on the Italian market, although we are also supplying a proportion of our production to Austria." An entrepreneur from Emilia-Romagna stated: "At present, we are handling apricots from Basilicata, as well as locally grown fruit from Romagna. In many cases, produce from Basilicata requires very careful selection, as some areas have suffered weather-related damage. Our current sales channel is mainly the Italian retail sector, for which we use a variety of packaging formats. We also supply wholesale markets and, to a lesser extent, foreign retail chains. Internationally, we have recently started shipping apricots to Switzerland." Another operator from Emilia-Romagna added: "The weather has not produced any unpleasant surprises, so production is in line with expectations and the quality is high. In addition to traditional apricots, we specialise in red-fleshed apricots. The marketing calendar runs from late May until September. Demand is strong, and the season has started under very promising conditions. One of the most popular formats is the small 1.5 kg pack, which is almost perceived as a gift thanks to its attractive packaging."The stone fruit sector, which includes peaches, nectarines, apricots, and plums, remains dynamic and has experienced steady growth in consumer numbers in recent years. According to YouGov data, 82% of Italian households purchase stone fruit, primarily from supermarkets, although discount stores, hypermarkets, and specialist fresh produce retailers also play a role. Consumption remains strongly seasonal, concentrated between May and September, with the highest purchase frequency recorded in June and July.Spain: Higher volumes test market demandSpain's stone fruit season is underway with slightly higher production and better quality than last year. However, demand has slowed, and prices are under pressure due to increased supply from almost all European and third-country producing regions.At present, the Region of Murcia continues to supply large volumes, while the plum harvest has already started in Badajoz, where lower volumes are expected compared with last season. Harvesting is also gradually getting underway in Lleida and Aragón, Spain's largest stone fruit producing regions, although production has not yet reached its peak. Early varieties in Lleida and Aragón were affected by heat waves several weeks ago, which slowed fruit growth. Smaller fruit sizes, mainly B and C calibers, currently dominate supply and are finding demand from supermarket chains. Growers and exporters are expected to begin harvesting larger-caliber varieties next week.The Spanish summer fruit season has been experiencing a period of weak demand due to unfavourable weather conditions in several European countries, although sales are expected to improve with the arrival of warmer temperatures. "The supply is higher this year, and the markets' capacity to absorb it remains the same as previous years," says an exporter. "Last year's frosts in Turkey, Greece, and Eastern European countries led to us receiving more calls from buyers in countries that don't usually rely heavily on imports, but that's not happening this year because there is enough domestic production. Furthermore, price drops are not proportional to the extent to which volumes have increased compared to last season. In some instances, prices are barely profitable, bearing in mind that production costs have significantly increased due to persistent inflation across Europe."Spanish stone fruit production, including peaches, flat peaches, pavia, and nectarines, is forecast at 1,624,400 tons, representing a 6% increase compared with 2025 and a 14.16% increase compared with the average of the previous five seasons.Production capacity has recovered across most growing areas in 2026 following a mild winter and the absence of major weather-related events in large parts of the country. Despite some rainfall during flowering, frost, and isolated hail events, the harvest outlook remains positive in terms of volumes. Nectarines are expected to account for 586,000 tons, up 3% from 2025, followed by pavia (yellow peach) at 316,300 tons (+9.5%), peaches at 311,800 tons (+3%), and flat peaches at 300,300 tons (+12%). Most production areas are stable or recording slight increases, although Extremadura has seen declines due to fruit set issues and frost. Final production outcomes in Aragón and Catalonia will depend on weather conditions in the coming weeks.Apricot production is expected to be similar to or slightly lower than in 2025. The 2026 harvest is estimated at 110,120 tons, which is 13% above the 2020-2024 average but 7% below the 2025 crop.The Netherlands: Flat nectarine acreage continues to expandSpanish summer fruit is continuing to benefit from good demand. "Of course, this is always quite weather dependent, but overall we certainly have no complaints," says a Dutch importer.Supply from Lleida is also starting to increase. "We are now seeing a slightly larger supply, which is leading to declining prices for nectarines, peaches and paraguayos. All in all, it is a calm market with sufficient supply."Within production, the rise of the flat nectarine (platerina) remains a clear trend. The variety is gaining popularity in Europe due to growing retail demand, supported by its distinctive appearance, eating quality, and convenience. Growers continue to expand acreage, and availability is expected to increase in the coming years. At the same time, there is renewed interest among growers in traditional peaches.Germany: Higher availability weighs on market pricesSpanish peaches and nectarines continued to dominate the market. According to the BLE, they were mainly complemented by Italian shipments in both categories, while smaller volumes from Turkey and France rounded out the supply.Overall availability increased, and demand was met without difficulty. Despite summer weather and the resulting improvement in storage conditions, demand was not always able to keep pace with the larger supply. To avoid stock build-ups, traders often had little choice but to reduce their asking prices. Price declines were particularly evident ahead of the weekend, with small-sized fruit sometimes selling for as little as €1.50/kg.In the paraguayo segment, only Spanish products were available, while platerinas were supplied by both Spain and Turkey. Demand for these products remained relatively strong. Nevertheless, prices fell from the previous week's levels due to the increase in supply.In the apricot market, supplies consisted mainly of Spanish and Italian fruit. Limited volumes of the French Orangered variety, which remains popular with consumers, are also now available. Meanwhile, the German apricot harvest is beginning in regions such as Northern Baden and Rheinhessen. One producer reports that food retailers have already shown interest in the first domestic apricots.The main harvest of Austrian apricots in the Wachau region of Lower Austria, with larger daily picking volumes, is expected to take place between 12 and 15 July. The first Hungarian apricots are also already being offered, including at the Vienna Wholesale Fruit Market.Belgium: Market affected by cooler weatherThe Spanish stone fruit season is currently showing a mixed pattern. After a strong start driven by warm weather in Northwestern Europe, demand for summer fruit has weakened in recent weeks following a change in weather conditions across the Benelux region. As a result, sales have slowed, and the market has become less stable, according to a Belgian trader.Summer fruit categories such as cherries, peaches, nectarines, and apricots are particularly under pressure. Consumers have become more cautious amid fluctuating weather forecasts, leading to more postponed purchases. This has created a clear division in the market, with higher-quality products largely maintaining their price levels, while standard-quality fruit is facing greater pressure and lower prices.Within the stone fruit category, plums remain an exception. Due to expected lower production in Spain and parts of France, market pressure in this segment remains more limited.Further market developments will depend largely on weather conditions in Northwestern Europe. Warmer, more stable summer weather could quickly stimulate demand, while continued cool conditions would maintain pressure on the market as Spanish volumes continue to mature and require harvesting.Greece: Apricot season starts with larger cropApricot volumes are expected to increase by almost 20% this season following favourable growing conditions and the absence of major weather-related issues. Exports are mainly destined for Northern and Western Europe, with exporters looking to expand retail programmes across additional European markets.With larger volumes available, Greek exporters expect to maintain a steady market presence from June through the end of August. Industry participants note that climate change remains a concern for production, particularly in the Mediterranean region, where higher temperatures, more frequent heatwaves, and prolonged drought periods are increasing production challenges and affecting yield predictability.Turkey: Flat peach volumes recover to 2024 levelsThe Turkish stone fruit season is underway, with flat peach exports having started in recent weeks. Production is expected to return to levels similar to those seen in 2024 following the reduced crop recorded in 2025. Although some growing regions experienced localized weather-related challenges during April and May, overall fruit quality and sizing are reported to be good.Harvesting began in late May, with delays of five to ten days reported in some production areas, including Aydın and İzmir, due to rainy and cool weather. Turkish growers generally benefited from favourable conditions during key stages of fruit development, and exports are expected to continue until the end of August.Turkey produces more than 1.1 million tons of peaches and nectarines annually, with flat peaches estimated to account for between 5 and 8 per cent of total production. Demand for flat peaches continues to grow, supported by increasing consumer familiarity with the product. While Russia, Iraq, Romania, Ukraine, and Belarus remain the main export destinations for Turkish peaches and nectarines, exporters are also targeting markets in Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, and Cambodia. Interest is also growing in Kenya and Mauritius, while exporters see opportunities for Turkish flat peaches in the UK and European markets.South Africa: Imports bridge seasonal gapThe last South African plums (Angelenos) were still available on the European market a few weeks ago. The export season was affected by shipping delays caused by wind-related disruptions at the Port of Cape Town. South Africa's new stone fruit season is expected to begin in around three and a half months. In the Western Cape, growers are hoping for a cold winter to ensure complete dormancy, followed by even flowering in spring.At present, imports from Spain are supplying the South African market, although volumes remain very limited. At the Johannesburg market, plums are selling for €1.73/kg, while peaches are trading at €1.58/kg.Most imported stone fruit is currently sold through retailers. At one retailer, imported nectarines are priced between €4.50 and €4.88 per punnet, while other retailers appear to have no imported stone fruit on their shelves at present. The presence of Spanish stone fruit in South African supermarkets is expected to increase towards the beginning of July.North America: Early harvest advances season timelineCalifornia's stone fruit season is running three to four weeks ahead of schedule, with multiple varieties overlapping. In white nectarines, for example, four varieties that would normally be harvested at different times are currently being packed simultaneously. There is also uncertainty surrounding the end of the season. While harvesting typically continues into late September, some projections indicate the season could conclude by mid- to late August.In addition, a large proportion of the crop consists of smaller-sized fruit, which may be linked to the warm weather earlier this year or to the thinning window being missed. Fruit quality has been average, although the fruit is maturing more quickly than usual after harvest. For export markets, suppliers prefer air freight over sea freight. Prices are strong and several dollars higher than last year.Georgia's peach season also began around 10 days earlier than usual. The early start has been attributed to unusually dry March and April, during which the state received no rainfall, a factor that positively affected flavour. Fruit sizing has been slightly smaller than normal. Peaches are also being shipped from North Carolina and South Carolina.Chile: Exporters face poor returnsThe 2025/26 season has been classified as one of the worst in recent years. Global supply exceeded international demand, resulting in negative margins. Several exporters chose not to ship fruit due to insufficient returns. This situation mirrors the crisis currently affecting the Chilean cherry industry, prompting several market participants to begin commercial restructuring processes.Mexico: Market conditions remain weakThe season was challenging for both yellow and white nectarines. In addition to low prices, fruit arrived with advanced maturity, negatively affecting market conditions and further reducing returns.Brazil: Returns fail to cover lossesBrazil received both yellow and white nectarine varieties and was also affected by the global oversupply. Returns were weak and insufficient to offset losses accumulated in other destination markets.Next Topic: GarlicPublication date: Fri 12 Jun 2026© FreshPlaza.com / Stefan Jansen van Nieuwenhuizen