The Dutch pear harvest this year is expected to be 9 per cent smaller than last year. The apple harvest will not be much different from that in 2023. The harvest estimate is 197 million kilos of apples and 327 million kilos of pears. This is reported by the NFO and GroentenFruit Huis, based on information from 100 farms.

Pear harvest
Due to erratic spring weather (heat, cold, wetness and hail), fewer pears are hanging on the trees than last year. Most pears recovered well from the spring hail. Conference - accounting for almost 80 per cent of the Dutch pear harvest - is estimated at 258 million kilos. This is 6 per cent lower than in 2023. Following at a distance are Beurré Alexander Lucas and Xenia with an expected harvest of 16 million kilos and 15 million kilos, respectively. The harvest of Doyenné du Comice falls to 14 million kilos this year.

This year, pears will be grown on 9,930 hectares in the Netherlands. This acreage is comparable to last year's numbers.

Apple harvest
Compared to 2023, the total apple harvest in 2024 will not differ much (-1%). Elstar, with a 43% share, is by far the most widely grown apple in the Netherlands. This year, a harvest of 84 million kilos of Elstar is expected. That is 10 per cent more than last year. For the second variety in the Netherlands, Jonagold (incl. Jonagored), 45 million kilos are expected. After this, Kanzi and Rode Boskoop are the most harvested varieties.

The apple acreage in the Netherlands has been declining for years. This year it is down 5 per cent, to 5,220 hectares.

New harvest
From the end of August, the new tasty harvest of sustainable apples and pears with a low footprint will again be available to Dutch consumers. The start of the harvest is a week to ten days earlier than last year. Summer varieties will be picked as early as mid-August.

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com