Apple prices expected to surge as Dutch growers predict poor harvest; Pears thrive
Dutch fruit growers are projecting a significantly smaller apple crop this year even as pear production rises sharply, according to industry figures released Monday. Growers expect to harvest nearly 200 million kilograms of apples, about 20 percent less than last year, when trees produced an above-average crop, NU.nl reported.
The decline in apples was not unexpected. A spokesperson for GroentenFruit Huis said apples are sensitive to so-called alternate bearing years. "After an above-average harvest, the trees often bear fewer fruits the following year."
Popular varieties are among the hardest hit. Growers anticipate 21 percent fewer Elstar apples, the most widely grown variety in the Netherlands, and about 20 percent fewer Jonagold apples compared with 2025 figures.
The apple shortfall comes as the number of apple orchards continues a years-long decline. This year, the total area of orchards shrank by 3 percent. The spokesperson attributed the reduction mainly to falling demand.
"The export has changed due to less demand from abroad. In addition, consumption of apples in the Netherlands is stable to declining."
In contrast, the pear harvest is forecast to increase 10 percent to nearly 400 million kilograms, data from GroentenFruit Huis and the Dutch Fruit Growers Organization (NFO) shows. "The growing conditions for pears were favorable this year," the GroentenFruit Huis spokesperson said.
"Additionally, the pear harvest in the Betuwe was disappointing last year, but it looks good now."
The final size and quality of both crops will depend on weather in the coming weeks, particularly adequate water supplies during the remainder of the growing season. The first Dutch apples and pears from the new harvest are expected to reach stores from late August onward.
