2023-08-03 13:23:44
Belgium has become the largest pear producer in the European Union, according to the estimates published during the international congress Prognosfruit in Trento, Italy. A total of 412 million kilograms of pears will be produced this year, an increase of 19% compared to last year. Italy, the former leader in production, is faced with weak harvests.
Belgian statistics run counter to European figures. In Europe, a decrease in production of 13%, to 1.7 million tonnes, is expected. A situation due to climate change, according to the head of the association of Belgian horticultural cooperatives (VBT) Luc Vanoirbeek. “Italy, and particularly Emilia-Romagna, has experienced periods of extreme drought and flooding. Before, Italy produced a million tons of pears, now we are only at 182 million kilograms, less than a fifth“, he explains.
Belgian apple production, on the other hand, slowed down. It shows a decrease of 15%, with a production of 203 million kilograms.
At European level, the drop is around 3% for 11.7 million tonnes of apples. The Belgian decrease is notably due to a reduction in production areas. “Since the 2018-2019 season, the areas devoted to apples have decreased by 1089 hectares to reach 4896 hectares“, explains the head of the association of Belgian horticultural cooperatives. “The Jonagold (-620 hectares) and Jonagored (-569 hectares) varieties are the main ones concerned. Next season, Belgian apple areas will for the first time include less than half of Jonagold and Jonagored.“
1691119406
#Belgium #largest #pear #producer #European #Union
