"At the end of April 2025, French apple stocks were up compared with last year and with the 2020-2024 average. For French pears, the season is drawing to a close, and stocks are down from last year and the five-year average. Apple prices are similar to those of 2024, but pear prices are down compared with last year. Exports of apples and pears are higher than last year, but remain below the average of the last five years," according to Agreste.
Apples: stocks up by 17% and prices close to 2024 levels
"At the end of April 2025, as the season came to a close, apple stocks were 17% higher than in 2024 and 11% higher than the average for 2020-2024. This is primarily due to a slower rate of destocking compared to 2024, which has been observed since December. Certain varieties, such as the Gala, Granny Smith, and Canada Grise, are showing marked increases (+35%, +47%, and +89%, respectively). At the European level, according to WAPA data, apple stocks were down by 7% from last year on April 1st, mainly due to reduced production in Eastern European countries affected by frost. Golden apples are down by 20%."
Producer prices are similar to those in 2024, and 8% higher than the average for the last 5 years.
Exports of French apples are up by 2% (between August 2024 and March 2025) compared with the previous year, but remain 4% below the five-year average. At the European level, exports are the most dynamic to the Netherlands (+20%) and Italy (+65%). Exports to third countries are down by 4%.
Pears: stocks down and prices lower than in 2024
Pear stocks are 6% lower than in 2024 (in April 2025) and 43% lower than the 2020-2024 average. The campaign for the latest varieties, such as the Conference, Doyenne du Comice, and Angelys, is drawing to a close. Output from cold stores is down by 10% from last year. According to WAPA data, on April 1st, European pear stocks were down by 10% from last year.
Producer prices are down by 4% from last year, but still 8% higher than the average for the last five years. In terms of exports, figures show a 16% rise from 2024, but a 6% decrease from the 2020-2024 average. On the European market, sales are focused on the Netherlands, Spain, and Germany, while sales to Belgium are down, and sales to third countries have dropped sharply.
Source: Agreste