German Apple Crop Reaches 955,000 MT

WASHINGTON - Sep 11/06 - SNS -- Commercial apple production in Germany is expected to rise 3% to 955,000 metric tons (MT) this year, according to the U.S. agricultural attache for the country, while non-commercial apple production is forecast at 950,000 MT, and commercial pear production at 61,000 MT.

Germany is the fourth largest apple producer in the European Union, after Poland, Italy and France. As of mid-July, German apple production for 2006 was estimated at 955,000 MT for commercial production, up 3% compared to the previous year.

In the months of June and July, precipitation was lower than usual, which resulted in below average fruit diameters. In August, most of the country enjoyed more rainfall. It remains to be seen if the late favorable weather conditions would help the trees make up the delayed fruit diameter growth.

If so, the crop could be a bit higher than estimated here. Last year's harvest is now pegged at 925,000 MT, down from earlier estimates that it was 960,000 MT.

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