Apple Production in Italy: Increase and Challenges for 2023

Apple cultivation in Italy reached 2,175,827 tons in 2022, representing a 3% rise over the previous year. These figures come from the annual meeting of Assomela’s Marketing Committee, which represents 75% of Italian apple farmers.

On a geographical level, Alto Adige leads the way with 1,005,617 tons, a 16% rise over last year. Trentino’s output remains unchanged at 485,951 tonnes, with a little rise. Piedmont demonstrates positive stability, increasing by 2% over 2022. Despite the hailstorms, Piedmontese apples were only slightly damaged due to anti-hail nets.

Veneto, on the other hand, suffered the most difficulty, with a 29% decline owing to frost and hailstorms, lowering apple availability for the fresh market to 43%. Hailstorms and wind caused a 10% drop in Emilia-Romagna. The devastation inflicted by the May floods was less severe than anticipated. Friuli and Lombardy keep production constant, with balance sheets expanding by 5% and dropping by 1%, respectively.

The overall number of apples intended for the fresh market was 1.88 million tons, a 4% rise above the previous five-year average. However, the organic sector decreased by 13% compared to 2022, owing mostly to a considerable decline in Veneto output. Italian apple exports to both European and non-European countries climbed by roughly 10%, particularly to markets outside the EU.