According to fresh data from the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA), as of April 1, 2026, there were 2.2 million tons of apples in storage in EU member states.
For comparison, a month earlier the volume was 2.7 million tons, that is, for March stocks have decreased by about 590 thousand tons, writes EasrFruit with reference to FruitVeb.
On a year-on-year basis, the situation is as follows: April 1, 2025 stocks were 1.8 million tons, and the rate of sales last March was higher (629 thousand tons). Thus, this year’s apple stocks are 387 thousand tons (or 21.9%) higher than last year’s. It is noteworthy that the gap between this year’s and last year’s figures is widening: if at the beginning of March the difference was 14.5%, by April it exceeded 21%, .
More than half of the total European volume falls on two countries: Italy (670 thousand tons) and Poland (510 thousand tons). France (350 thousand tons) and Germany (220 thousand tons) also have significant stocks. In other countries the volumes are more modest: Spain – 105 thousand, the Netherlands – 95 thousand, Austria – 65 thousand, the UK – 60 thousand and Belgium – about 50 thousand tons.
The situation arises that, firstly, the marketable residues of apple crop-2025 in Europe are large and are unlikely to be completely dispersed by the beginning of the new marketing season. And secondly, horticulture in some Central and Eastern European countries has already suffered losses (still uncertain) of the new apple crop from spring frosts. Summer lies ahead – with possible hail, drought and other risks.
