The national production of apples is enough for 3-4 kg per capita – Agro Plovdiv – 2024-10-24 14:14:00

Weaker harvests and fewer areas with wine grapes and apples are reported by the Ministry of Agriculture

The harvests of wine grapes and apples are smaller this year. If there is still an opportunity for apples to improve the latest data of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (MAZH), as active harvesting continues, there is no such chance for wine grapes – they are almost harvested.

For apples, the ministry reports an average yield of 840 kg/ha compared to 933 last year. The bad news is that it is below the minimum required to receive tied support – nearly 1,200 kg/ha. The areas with apple plantations are 1,500 decares less than in 2023, namely 41,250 decares. As of mid-October, apple production was almost 15% weaker and was just 22,650 tons on 26,950 acres harvested. It remains to be seen the harvest of another 14,300 decares. If the average yield continues to be around 840 kg/ha, then the national apple harvest will total around 34,662 tons.

Divided by the population of the country (6.7 million people), one Bulgarian will have about 5 kg of native apples. From this amount, however, we must subtract the apples that go to the production of vinegar and juices. They are about 35% of the entire production and after them on head of population the amount falls to just over 3 kg of apples for fresh consumption per capita. That is between 15-20 apples according to their size. This makes it clear why in the commercial network, Bulgarian apples are offered only for a few days, to give way during the huge part of the year to imported ones – mainly from Poland and Italy.

This year, the areas with wine vineyards are about 10,000 decares less – 283,080 decares. By October 17, 125,770 tons had been harvested, which is a 5% decrease compared to last year at this time. The average yield is 11.1% lower – 458 kg/ha. It is 57 kg less compared to mid-October 2023.

The harvest of dessert vines has already been harvested, but overall it is insignificant. Dessert vineyards are also decreasing in area by just over 1,000 acres per year and are now 25,860 acres. The reported average yield is 488 kg/ha, which is 30 kg more than last year. Total production is 12,532 tons.