The apple sectors from France, Spain and Italy will meet on 8 April in Trento, Italy, in the framework of the Contact Group for this product of the Joint Committee. The Group will analyse the balance of the 2015/2016 campaign and give its first forecasts for 2016/2017.
The agenda of the Group also includes the revision of Regulation 543/2011 on issues related to the apple sector, with the improvement of the crisis management measures as a topic of special interest, given the low amount of Community aid in force for market withdrawals, currently at 16.98 €/100 kg for withdrawals intended for free distribution, and 13.22 €/100 kg for other purposes, and with 50% of the latter amount being funded by the producer organizations. The Group will also discuss the problems arising from the Community phytosanitary regulations, which FEPEX considers a priority, and the proposed amendments to the commercial quality standards.
The FEPEX delegation of the Contact Group will be chaired by Joan Serentill, newly elected president of the Pear and Apple Committee of FEPEX and Afrucat partner.
In 2015, Spanish apple exports totalled 121,657 tonnes worth 89 million Euro, up 7.07% and 12.47%, respectively, compared with the previous year, and imports totalled 203,293 tonnes (+0.60%) worth 151 million Euro (-1.87%). In January, apple imports reached 15,893 tonnes (+16.89%) worth 12 million Euro (+26%), with Barcelona and Madrid as the main importers and France and Italy as the leading suppliers. Exports that month increased by similar percentages, reaching 10,593 tonnes (+16.53%) worth 8,497,261 Euro (+27.64%).
