Overproduction and drop in consumption combined with the abnormal seasons of the last few years have seriously affected Italian peach and nectarine producers, who are now talking about digging up their orchards.
Istat data shows that stonefruit plantations are evolving in Italy. If we confront it with that supplied by Ferrara's CSO, we can see how there are some considerations to be made.
Peaches
The progressive re-dimensioning of cultivated areas is confirmed for the past three years (Istat data 2011, 2012 and 2013).
Peaches | 2011 (ha) | 2012 (ha) | 2013 (ha) | Var. % (2013/12) | Var. % (2013/11) |
Emilia-Romagna | 10,485 | 8,462 | 8,368 | -1.10% | -20.19% |
Lazio | 2,472 | 1,765 | 1,725 | -2.30% | -30.22% |
Campania | 16,457 | 16,067 | 15,608 | -2.80% | -5.16% |
Puglia | 4,269 | 3,895 | 3,610 | -7.30% | -15.43% |
Basilicata | 1,974 | 1,972 | 1,971 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Calabria | 2,474 | 2,370 | 2,204 | -7.00% | -10.91% |
Sicilia | 5,621 | 5,516 | 6,145 | 11.40% | 9.32% |
Emilia-Romagna and Campania remain the regions of reference for the peach and nectarine production. Piedmont still invests in these fruits and especially in the medium-late varieties. In general, in the past three years, it was mostly nectarine orchards which were dug up.
| Nectarines | 2011 (ha) | 2012 (ha) | 2013 (ha) | Var. % (2013/12) | Var. % (2013/11) |
| Emilia-Romagna | 13,890 | 10,844 | 10,631 | -1.20% | -23.46% |
| Campania | 4,492 | 4,310 | 3,910 | -9.20% | -12.96% |
Technicians are talking about an additional reduction of 2-3% for peaches and 4-5% for nectarines.
Apricots
Between 2011 and 2013, the land destined to apricots increased in Emilia-Romagna (over 5,200 ha) and decreased slightly in Campania.
| Apricots | 2011 (ha) | 2012 (ha) | 2013 (ha) | Var. % (2013/12) | Var. % (2013/11) |
| Emilia-Romagna | 4,942 | 5,011 | 5,231 | 4.40% | 5.85% |
| Campania | 4,801 | 4,673 | 4,520 | -3.30% | -5.85% |
There have been new investments also in Basilicata and Puglia.
POs talk about a 4-5% increase, especially for late cultivars, which can be used to extend the sales calendar up to mid-August.
Plums
Land destined to plums is stable or slightly increasing in Emilia-Romagna and Campania. Estimates refer to a 2% increase in the main producer regions.
There is still a lot of interest in the Angeleno late variety, which has a good shelf-life and a wide sales calendar.
Cherries
Land added in Emilia-Romagna and Puglia - at a domestic level we are talking about a 5-7% increase despite the fact that the species does not adapt to all the soil and weather conditions and the extent of the initial investment.
| Cherries | 2011 (ha) | 2012 (ha) | 2013 (ha) | Var. % (2013/12) | Var. % (2013/11) |
| Emilia-Romagna | 2,054 | 2,316 | 2,298 | -0.78% | 11.88% |
| Campania | 3,537 | 3,449 | 3,179 | -7.80% | -10.12% |
| Puglia | 18,010 | 18,015 | 18,485 | 2.61% | 2.64% |
Estimates
After 2013 there is an additional decrease of land destined to peaches and nectarines and new plantings of apricots and plums. Despite this, the peach and nectarine production shall remain the same thanks to new varieties and cultivating techniques.
One ha can produce between 20 and 50 tons depending on the age of the plants and how early the varieties are. Plums (30 to 40-50 ton/ha), apricots (20-30 ton/ha) and cherries (10-12 ton/ha) produce less.
This year, there could be some problems caused by Sharka, especially in the Cesena and Verona areas and in Basilicata. The situation could also be made worse by overproduction - Romagna is producing early whereas in the South and in Spain there have been delays. Nothing is certain though.