Hello everyone, Estimates for the European apple crop have recently been published.
Overall a crop of 9,977,000 tons is expected, a 14% increase on 2007. In the 15 "older" Western EU member states, Jonagold will be down 15% to 683,000 tons, Braeburn down 12% to 268,000 tons, Golden delicious down 8% to 1,944,000 tons, Gala down 4% to 856,000 tons and Elstar down 15% to 370,000 tons. The reason for the overall production rise is that the eastern European states which were frost-affected in 2007 will this year have full crops. Particular mention should be given to Poland, whose production of 1,100,000 tons in 2007 is set to double to 2,360,000 tons this year, which will make it the largest apple producer in Europe this year. Ireland will this year produce 0.1% of Europe's total apple crop, and my own farm 0.005% of Europe's apple crop. And if I had forty euros for every ton of apples grown in Europe this year, I would just have enough money to bail out the Irish banks property speculation bubble, which has just been guaranteed by our very generous government. Any news on US crop estimates? Con Traas The Apple Farm Moorstown Cahir Ireland
