World stone fruit production

Peaches and Nectarines

China produces over 50% of the world’s peaches, but the USA, Italy and Spain also produce over 1 million tonnes per year. In these countries, average yields approach 20t/ha, but the best growers achieve 40t/ha and above. While peaches are an important processing crop in the USA, Greece, Australia and South Africa, fresh peach and nectarine production accounts for over 80% of all consumption.

Plums

Plum production stands at around 11 million tonnes. While production is lower, the worldwide area of plums is higher than that for peaches and nectarines, at 2.4 million ha. Over 80 countries grow commercial crops at a relatively low average yield of 4 t/ha. Biggest producer with 50% of the world’s market is China - no other country produces more than 1 million tonnes.

Biggest importers of fresh plums are the UK and Germany with most exports coming from China, Spain, USA and South Africa. Japan and Germany import most dried plums (prunes), with the USA the major exporter.

Cherries

Sweet and Sour Cherry production amounts to 2.2 and 1.3 million tonnes respectively from a combined area of 0.6 million ha. Iran, Turkey and the USA are the major producers and exporters of sweet cherries, which are consumed in a large number of countries. Sour cherries are largely produced in Russia or in Eastern European countries such as Poland. Germany is the biggest importer with supplies largely from Hungary and Serbia.

Apricots

Apricot production amounts to 3.9 million tonnes per annum across 488,344 ha. Best yields approach 25-30 t/ha. Turkey, Iran and Uzbekistan are the top three producers with Germany, Italy and Austria the largest importers.

Stone Fruit Consumption

In many countries, stone fruit consumption has remained relatively static over the last ten to twenty years. US per capita consumption of peaches and nectarines is 2.7kg/year and for plums - 0.6kg/year. One of the main reasons is that the consumer is often disappointed with the quality of the produce.

There is a real need to produce fruit of more consistent quality that is ripe, tasteful and of the right texture. In this respect, correct crop nutrition can play a major role to play in helping improve marketability.