For the Netherlands, apple production is estimated at -12% on the previous year, and pear production is estimated at +3% on the previous year.
According to the recent GAIN report from the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), Dutch apple production is expected to be around 207,000 tonnes (-12% on the previous year) and pear production around 341,000 tonnes (+3% on the previous year and -6% on the 3-year average).
Apples
Only 5,550 hectares were harvested, down 6% on the previous year and 63% on the 15,000 hectares harvested 25 years ago.
The most widely grown apples are Elstar, expected to harvest 82,000 tons, Jonagold including Jonagored 50,000 tons, Kanzi 18,000 tons and Rode Boskoop 10,000 tons.
Pears
This year's harvested area stands at 9,920 hectares, having exceeded 10,000 hectares last year, compared with just 6,000 hectares 25 years ago.
The most widely grown pears are Conférence, expected to harvest 263,000 tons, Doyenné du Comice 22,000 tons, Beurré Alexander Lucas 20,000 tons.