Catalonia forecasts 9% increase in apple harvest; Kazakhstan to ban imports

Catalonia projects a 9% rise in apple production to 289,600 tonnes for 2026, while Kazakhstan will ban apple imports, including from EU suppliers, from August to December 2026.

The Association of Fruit Business of Catalonia (Afrucat) reports that apple production in Catalonia for the 2026 season is forecast at 289,600 tonnes, up 9% compared to last year and 12% above the five-year average. The Girona region will see the largest increase, with production expected to rise by 30% year-on-year. The varietal structure is shifting, with new varieties now accounting for 26% of plantings less than two years old, indicating a trend toward innovation in the region's apple sector.

Kazakhstan has announced a ban on apple imports from 1 August to 31 December 2026. The restriction will affect all supplying countries, including those in the European Union. Poland, as a major supplier to Kazakhstan, is likely to be impacted, but the ban will also affect apple exporters from other EU countries who have previously sent fruit to the Kazakh market.

Spanish authorities in Catalonia have allocated €8 million in aid for investments in orchards to counteract damage from hail and frost, supporting resilience and competitiveness among apple growers. The maximum subsidy per beneficiary is €120,000, and the supported area is capped at 8 hectares. This financial support aims to stabilize future production in the region.

The supply increase in Catalonia may boost availability of Spanish apples for export to EU markets, potentially increasing competition for other suppliers. The expected decrease in pear production in Catalonia by 5% to 101,500 tonnes may partially offset the impact of higher apple volumes on the overall pome fruit market.

The shift in Catalan apple production and the halt in Kazakh imports could lead to changes in European apple trade flows, with more Spanish apples available for EU buyers and displaced fruit from the Kazakh market seeking alternative destinations. This may affect import demand and price competition in recipient countries, including Poland.

Material prepared by the editorial team of fresh-market.info, editor Artur Spiker · Illustrative image generated by AI