Bulgaria: Stone Fruit Annual
Following very good 2015 year for the stone fruit sector with higher harvested areas, yields and supply,in 2016 the weather has been more challenging to date. There were reoccurring spring rains and cold temperatures, followed by hail storms, and hot and dry summer. Thus, the average yields and production are likely to decrease more substantially for cherries and less for peaches. Investment and improvement at the production level have continued and planted areas keep growing, especially in cherry production. More investment in irrigation and in stone fruit processing are likely later in late 2016 and 2017. Likely lower stone fruit production in 2016 is expected to result in higher imports and reduced consumption.
