According to the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA), stocks on 1st December 2022 declined by 8.6% year-on-year (y-o-y) in Europe, reaching 4.48 million tonnes. The decline largely concerns Jonagold, Jonagored, Gala, and Golden Delicious varieties, which all declined by over 15% y-o-y. In December 2022, the price of Polish apples (top EU producer and exporter) rose by 9.8% month-on-month (m-o-m) and by 40.6% y-o-y to EUR 180/MT, attributed to low stock levels combined with high input costs.
Growers continue to face financial pressures amid high production costs. Prices for energy and fertilisers have reached record highs in 2022, exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine war. Since the peaks in March 2022, prices have declined, but remain well above 2021 levels, which is driving up costs for producers, and negatively impacting profit margins.
Despite lower stock levels, in the 2022/23 marketing year (MY), EU apple production is forecast to increase by 4.0% y-o-y to 12.8 million tonnes, potentially easing further significant upward price movements.