Bulgaria’s apple crop falls 13%

In the 2019/20 campaign, Bulgaria’s total fresh deciduous fruit crop fell 7%, according to FAS/Europe data. Apple production was down 13% from MY 2018/19, due to unfavourable weather conditions.  However, pear production reached record levels due to higher area harvested and yields. Table grape production remained stable. While strong demand drove imports during the first half of MY 2019/20, COVID-19 response measures led to lower demand and reduced imports after March. Fresh consumption decreased, while demand for shelf-stable processed products led to record-high levels of apple and pear processing. Fresh consumption is expected to rebound if COVID-19 wanes in 2021.