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The European Union is estimating a 9.343 million metric ton apple harvest for the 2017-18 growing season, down 21 percent from 2016, according to a press release from Interpoma. The total is equivalent to about 10.3 million U.S. tons, or 1.03 billion 20-pound boxes.
The figures were announced at Prognosfruit, the World Apple and Pear Association annual conference in Lleida, Spain.
Germany should see a decline of about 46 percent, while Poland is forecast to be off by 29 percent and Italy down 23 percent. France predicts an 8 percent decline, while Belgium and the Netherlands will likely see large percentage drops, albeit in relatively small harvests.
Hungary forecasts a 26 percent increase in production to 628,000 metric tons, while Portugal and Spain should see moderate increases.
Switzerland, which is not a member of the EU, is predicting a 21 percent production decrease.
The report also shows that most of the Northern Hemisphere will see smaller apple harvests, with Russia falling 37 percent, followed by Mexico (30 percent), Belarus (19 percent), Ukraine (10 percent) and Canada (6 percent).
The United States will be fairly stable at 4.8 million metric tons (5.29 million U.S. tons), while Chinese production estimated to increase by 3 percent.
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