In 2018, China’s apple production was reduced, and it received the enthusiasm of capital, and the price rose. However, in 2019, China’s apple production will be high and the output will rebound sharply.
Production areas and production climb
In 2019/20, China’s apple planting area will reach 1.96 million hectares. In recent years, the apple planting area has remained stable, or has declined slightly in the main producing areas, and has increased slightly in western or southwestern provinces such as Xinjiang, Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan provinces.
However, the main apple-producing regions of China are still in Shandong and Shaanxi, and the output of the seven major provinces accounts for nearly 90% of the country’s total output.
In 2019/20, China’s apple production is expected to reach 41 million tons, an increase of 24% from last year. Almost all domestic apple growing areas are very suitable for the growing season. However, Shandong experienced a drought in the summer, which will reduce production by 5%.
In 2019/20, the quality of apples is normal, but the proportion of big fruits is lower than last year (the output is still increasing).
Apple’s storage rate reaches a new high in 2019/20
In 2017/18, the number of apples in storage was 10 million tons; in 2018/19, it was only 6 million tons due to production reduction. In 2019/20, Apple’s storage rate reached 80% to 90%, a record high.
European apple production cut
Relative to the high yield of Chinese apples, European apples have reduced their output by 20% compared to last year, and are also 8% lower than the average of the past three years. This will balance Apple’s supply and prices worldwide to some extent.
