The EBF represents the organic fruit sector
Europäisches Bioobst-Forum is an organisation for groups of organic fruit growers from all over Europe. The groups of organic fruit growers exchange information and share their experience on a regular basis and collect information on organic fruit production and the organic fruit market. Europäisches Bioobst-Forum coordinates this exchange of information.
First forecast: 3% less organic apple harvest in Europe
On 20 June, the EBF Annual Congress took place in Austria. AMI (Agricultural Market Information Company) collected and summarised the forecast on behalf of the EBF.
The first harvest forecast 2023 for organic apples showed a minus of 3% compared to the previous year. Due to the very early forecast, this is to be regarded as an approximate value. The changes vary from region to region. In Germany, a decline to a normal harvest is expected after the strong harvest in 2022. The other countries, with the exception of Italy, have lower harvest expectations due to the blossom frosts.
After the somewhat weaker harvest in the previous year, Italy again has a normal harvest increase, which will largely compensate for the other expected shortfalls in Europe.
In autumn last year, demand was somewhat restrained in some areas. In the spring months, buying behaviour changed. Sales gained considerable momentum and the 2022 harvest will finally be sold out as planned in the month of August.
The clear upward trend in consumer confidence gives justified hope that selling prices will firm up and that the 2023-24 selling season will get off to a good start.
After the difficult last few years, cost increases in production must lead to higher selling prices for marketers.
The organic apple industry expects that there will be sufficient European organic apples available for European consumers in the upcoming marketing situation. The organic apple marketers of Europe will compensate for the regional differences in volume within Europe.
Looking back, the organic market has grown again. In 2022, the harvest was 9% higher than in 2021. This extra volume from the previous year found its way to the fresh market. Organic growth varied from region to region. In Austria, organic apples have a market share of 14.8% of the total supply in food retail. In other regions, a development in this direction is noticeable.
Participants at the EBF Congress reported that their clients are again looking more intensively at organic products. Organic is thus more in vogue again.
EBF 06/2023