“Transition in Packaging” will be the key theme for FACHPACK at the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg from 24 to 26 September 2024. This describes the powerful currents that are affecting the packaging sector in Europe right now. High expectations in terms of sustainability combined with new packaging regulations, increasing digitalization and artificial intelligence are just three of the driving themes at FACHPACK 2024. Demographic change also poses challenges for the industry. FACHPACK perceives itself as a guide for the sector, offering both interaction and direction. “The dynamics in the packaging industry have never been greater,” says Heike Slotta, Executive Director Exhibitions at NürnbergMesse. “And companies are responding with impressive powers of design and innovation. We will get to experience these first-hand during the three days of the trade fair, and I’m very much looking forward to it.” The key theme of “Transition in Packaging” will be reflected at the stands of the 1,463 exhibitors, in the extensive lecture programme, in the fascinating special shows and themed pavilions, and in the award presentations. Some 35,000 visitors from the consumer and industrial goods industries are expected.

FACHPACK provides a compact yet comprehensive overview of the products and services along the entire packaging process chain for industrial and consumer goods. That means packaging, the associated technology and the accompanying processes. The trade fair extends to eleven exhibition halls this year. Of the 1,463 exhibitors, 47 percent will travel to Nuremberg from outside Germany, the majority from Austria, Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Belgium, Greece, the Czech Republic, France and Turkey.

About 56 percent of exhibitors represent the packaging sector, in other words packaging materials and packaging accessories. Forty-four percent are from the packaging technology area, i.e. packaging machines, labelling systems and automation. The package printing and finishing segments and internal logistics are also covered at FACHPACK.

New food for thought and solutions for the packaging industry

Following a few challenging years, FACHPACK is back in the form in which the industry knows and appreciates it: 1,463 exhibitors will be present in the eleven exhibition halls, and not only the most prominent names in the packaging industry but also many smaller SMEs which will also find their customers here. “FACHPACK is quite simply a ‘class reunion’ for the European packaging industry,” Slotta observes, adding: “For three days we will once again experience the hands-on mentality that’s characteristic of this sector and feel its momentum. The current transformation in the packaging industry is something we are facing with optimism and a focus on solutions. We are actively involved in shaping this transformation, fully in line with our slogan, ‘We create the future’!

New network: Women in focus

A new feature is the Women4Packaging networking event for women in the packaging industry, taking place in the Brussels Room, NCC Mitte, at mid- day on the first day of the trade fair (24.9). This will give female players in the industry a unique opportunity to network on-site, provide mutual inspiration and interact on current themes and trends in the packaging sector. The whole thing takes place in a relaxed atmosphere. A highlight is the Keynote by Vera Strauch, founder of the Female Leadership Academy and expert in Feminist Leadership, on “Grow Your Influence: How to build a strong network and make an authentic impact”. About 150 participants have registered.

New ideas: Presentations with their finger on the pulse

FACHPACK perceives itself as a driving force for the sector. In addition to the extensive product exhibition and the many innovations on show there, this will also be evident from the lecture programme in the forums PACKBOX (Hall 4), INNOVATIONBOX (Hall 2) and SOLPACK 5.0 (Hall 3). All three draw on themes of current interest to the sector, e.g. dealing with the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations (PPWR), the circular economy, automation and AI, and also alternative packaging solutions and new fibre-based raw materials.

Highlights in the lecture programme include:

• Safe and sustainable? Evaluation of packaging materials with a focus on recyclates
• Quo Vadis Packaging?– what does the new EU packaging regulation mean in terms of practical business examples
• Digital packaging data: A must-have to handle complexity and new legal demands
• How AI is driving the circular economy
• Digitalization – smart packaging for greater transparency and sustainability
• Future-Ready Packaging – How to make your packaging fit for the future: Best practice examples of paper-based packaging solutions!
• The future of retail: new insights and their impact on the packaging industry

In the PACKBOX forum, moderated on this occasion by industry experts Matthias Mahr (LebensmittelPraxis magazine), Dr Johannes Bergmair (Pack Experts and World Packaging Organisation) and Oliver Berndt (Deutsches Verpackungsinstitut (German Packaging Institute, dvi), key partners to the packaging industry will give shape to the programme and invite visitors to listen in and join the discussion. SOLPACK 5.0, moderated by Peter Désilets and Volker Muche (sustainability agency pacoon GmbH), is devoted to sustainable packaging solutions. At INNOVATIONBOX, moderated by Nina Schönrock and Petra Bindl, registered exhibitors will introduce their new product developments and process innovations in short, punchy presentations.

Good packaging design: Special show “Outside the Box”

Anyone interested in packaging design should be sure to look in on the special design show “Outside the Box” in Hall 4. Organized for FACHPACK by bayern design, this illustrates the drafting and design process from idea through to good packaging design, and offers valuable insights into the impact of design on development processes. Unusual exhibits, e.g. innovative packaging for fitted sheets or a reuse system for domestic products such as detergents or soaps, are used to show design processes that make packaging more suitable for the circular economy, improve awareness of the brands behind products, and create a sense of identification and awareness among customers and users.

Fascinating approaches: Alternative packaging solutions

FACHPACK will offer inspiration this year with a special item on the programme: the “Alternative packaging solutions” pavilion. This is where examples of alternatives to traditional materials will be presented, along with an insight into what could be possible in the future. In the fully booked pavilion in Hall 3, for example, exhibitors will display compostable film bags, padding material made of grain husks, compostable tea bags, packaging made of sugarcane, and much more besides. The SOLPACK 5.0 forum is also part of this pavilion.

Fresh wind: Start-ups conquer the industry

Anyone on the lookout for fresh, unconventional ideas and products to resolve packaging questions will also find these this year among the start- ups in the packaging sector in Hall 2. Awaiting visitors are the “Young Innovators” pavilion for young, innovative companies, sponsored by the German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK), and the “Newcomers Pavilion”, which provides a platform where first-time exhibitors at FACHPACK and international newcomers to the sector can introduce themselves and their innovative products and services to the experts.

New industry talents in focus: Students Day on Thursday

The STUDENTS DAY on the third day of the fair (26.9) brings together prominent companies and new talents in the packaging industry. At the invitation of FACHPACK and the German Packaging Institute (dvi), students from the German-speaking region will meet in workshops with professionals from the likes of DALLI Werke, Henkel, Tchibo, Smurfit Kappa and Beiersdorf. An animated exchange of ideas on the demands of the future and the specifics of working in the packaging industry is guaranteed.

Achievements honoured: German Packaging Award

On the first day of the fair, the stage will once again be set for a total of 41 winners of the German Packaging Award, Europe’s top showcase for all aspects of packaging. Almost 250 submissions from 13 countries were submitted in advance for personal inspection and assessment. The German Packaging Award is presented by the German Packaging Institute (dvi) in ten categories. The presentation will take place in the Munich Room, NCC Mitte, from 16:30. As a premium partner, FACHPACK will present the special award for young talents. This distinction recognises the best packaging designs by school pupils, apprentices and students.

Industry development: Caution and optimism for 2025

The results of a current survey among associations in the German packaging industry show that weak economic conditions and growing regulatory demands are particular sources of concern for the packaging sector. According to the associations, however, an initial recovery in the economic situation in Germany is making itself felt. A cautious optimism is in the air for 2025. “As an industry platform, FACHPACK can assist the packaging industry with its challenges,” says Slotta. “Together it’s possible to develop ideas and solutions to encourage economic success for the industry. A trade fair that represents an entire sector can achieve more than individual companies on their own.”

According to the Food and Packaging Machinery Association at VDMA, incoming orders for packaging machines in the first four months of 2024 increased by 16 percent in real terms. Positive development overall is expected for the second half of the year. Global demand remains huge, and the potentials in the emerging economies in particular are far from being exhausted.

IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen (the Plastic Packaging Industry Association, IK) expects a slight economic recovery in the second half of 2024. The strongest drivers of hope in its view are the stable export expectations and adaptation strategies on the part of companies to secure supplies of raw materials and the circular economy. The Industrieverband Papier- und Folienverpackungen (IPV), the German association representing producers of packaging made from paper and plastic films, perceives major opportunities in the strong trend toward light, customizable and easily recyclable packaging. The folding box segment sees the possibility of an upswing in the future substitution of packaging based on petrochemicals with fibre-based recyclable packaging. A slight upturn in business from autumn 2024 is expected in the wooden packaging sector. In addition to the economic situation in Germany, the Bundesverband Holzpackmittel, Paletten, Exportverpackung (the German association for wooden packaging materials, pallets and export packaging, HPE) is looking toward foreign trade, since it perceives that a decline in foreign trade is causing a downward trend in demand for wooden packaging. As for glass containers, the Bundesverband Glasindustrie (the German glass industry association) assumes that the situation will continue to stabilize during 2024. The Verband der Wellpappen-Industrie (German Corrugated Board Industry Association, VDW) expects to see a gradual process of recovery for 2024. In the first five months of 2024, VDW members experienced revenue growth of 1.6 percent compared to the same period last year. Further information, figures and graphics on the packaging market in Germany and Europe can be found in the FACHPACK360° news portal.

Total orange production¹ is updated at 215.78 million boxes

The first update of the 2024-2025 orange crop forecast for the São Paulo and West-Southwest Minas Gerais citrus belt, published by Fundecitrus, carried out in cooperation with Markestrat and full professors from FEA-RP/USP and FCAV/Unesp², is 215.78 million boxes of 40.8 kg. Of the total, 200.46 million boxes come from the first three blooms, while 15.32 million boxes belong to the fourth bloom. Compared to the initial estimate in May, the projection shows a reduction of 16.60 million boxes, which corresponds to a 7.1 % decrease. Analyzing by maturity group, the early-season varieties decrease by approximately 3 %, the mid-season (Pera) by 11 %, and the late-season varieties by 7 %. Compared to the previous crop (307.22 million boxes), the current projection represents a 29.8 % drop, with early-season varieties down by roughly 33 %, mid-season (Pera) by 35 %, and late-season varieties by 24 %. It is also estimated that approximately 14.34 million boxes will be harvested in the Triângulo Mineiro region. …

Please download the complete forecast under: www.fundecitrus.com.br/pdf

¹Hamlin, Westin, Rubi, Valencia Americana, Seleta, Pineapple, Alvorada, Pera Rio, Valencia, Valencia Folha Murcha and Natal.
²Department of Exact Sciences, FCAV/Unesp Jaboticabal Campus.

All Citrus Value Up 6 Percent, Production Up 12 Percent

The USD 221 million preliminary on-tree value of the 2023-2024 citrus crop is 6 percent more than the USD 208 million revised value for 2022-2023.

Florida’s all citrus production in 2023-2024 is 20.2 million boxes, up 12 percent from the previous season’s 18.1 million boxes. All orange production increased by 14 percent to 18.0 million boxes. Non-Valencia production at 6.76 million boxes is up 10 percent from the 2022-2023 season. Valencia orange production at 11.2 million boxes is up 16 percent. All grapefruit production decreased 1 percent to 1.79 million boxes. Tangerine and tangelo production in 2023-2024 is down 6 percent from the previous season …

Please download the full citrus crop production forecast: www.nass.usda.gov

The Prognosfruit Conference is Europe’s leading annual event for the apple and pear sector, gathering apple and pear experts from across Europe and beyond. Prognosfruit 2024 took place in Budapest, Hungary. During the conference, WAPA (World Apple and Pear Association) released its forecast for the upcoming season of 2024/2025. The forecast for apples is set at 10,2 million t, 11,3 % lower than last year. The pear crop shows a slight recovery from 2023, increasing by 4,9 % to 1,79 million t.

Prognosfruit, the leading annual event for the apple and pear sector, took place in Budapest, Hungary. Prognosfruit 2024 was organised by WAPA in cooperation with FruitVeB (Magyar Zöldség-Gyümölcs Szakmaközi Szervezet). The meeting was opened with an address by István Nagy, Hungarian Minister of Agriculture, currently holding the rotating EU Presidency. He presented the agenda and priorities of the European Council of Agriculture Ministers. This agenda includes the future direction of the agricultural policy in challenging times and the future of the CAP, to secure the competitiveness of the production, and to address the impact of climate change, the sustainability debate, food security, labour issues, and geopolitical uncertainties.

In 2024, the apple production in the EU for the top producing countries contributing to this report is estimated to decrease by 11,3 % compared to last year to a total of 10.207.405 t. This year’s crop is also 13,6 % below the average of the previous 3 years. Regarding the main varieties, Golden Delicious production is set to shrink by 10,2 % to a total of 1.972.514 t. Gala, the second-largest variety, is expected to decrease by 11,1 % (1.350.835 t). Red Delicious is estimated to grow in production (+2,8 %), while Idared’s should be 18,4 % lower than in 2023.

The EU pear crop for 2024, on the other hand, is estimated to grow by 4,9 % compared to last year’s production with a total of 1.790.229 t. This increase is due to the recovery in Italy’s production (+120,5 % compared to 2023) and despite a reduction in the Belgian and Dutch figures (-26,6 % and -8,7 % respectively). In 2024, the production of Conference pears is estimated to decrease by 13,5 %, to 776.128 t. William BC pear production, on the other hand, should grow by 33,8 %. Abate Fetel’s production is forecasted to recover to 124.832 t (+131,8 %)

The market balance will be influenced by a relative steadiness of volume destined for the fresh market due to stable production Western part of the EU in France, Italy, and Spain. On the other hand, the Central and Eastern regions of the European Union were heavily impacted by poor blossoming, late frost, and hail, leading to lower crops in Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Austria. This will imply a lower supply for apple processing in the 2024/2025 season.

The outlook for the season is overall positive and should provide opportunities for better returns for the sector, which still faces the challenges of inflation and rising costs of the past months.

The 2024-2025 orange crop forecast for the São Paulo and West-Southwest Minas Gerais citrus belt by Fundecitrus in cooperation with Markestrat and full professors at FEA-RP/USP¹ and FCAV/Unesp², is 232.38 million boxes of 40.8 kg (90 lbs) each. This production is divided as follows (figures in parentheses indicate the drop in production as compared to the previous crop):

• 37.12 million boxes of the Hamlin, Westin, and Rubi varieties (- 36.10 %);
• 15.72 million boxes of the Valencia Americana, Seleta, Pineapple and Alvorada varieties (- 15.07 %);
• 70.97 million boxes of the Pera Rio variety (- 27.30 %);
• 81.58 million boxes of the Valencia and Valencia Folha Murcha varieties (- 22.45 %);
• 26.99 million boxes of the Natal variety (- 2.91 %).

Approximately 14.61 million boxes are expected to be produced in the Triângulo Mineiro (- 47.48 %).

Overall, the projected volume represents a significant drop of 24.36 % as compared to the previous crop that totaled 307.22 million boxes, a value close to the average for the last decade …

Please download the complete forecast under: www.fundecitrus.com.br/pdf

¹Marcos Fava Neves, Part-time Full Professor at FEA-RP/USP.
²José Carlos Barbosa, (voluntary) Full Professor at FCAV/Unesp.

Total orange production for the 2023-2024 crop season ended at 307.22 million boxes¹

The 2023-2024 orange crop for the São Paulo and West-Southwest Minas Gerais citrus belt, published by Fundecitrus – performed in cooperation with Markestrat and full professors from FEA- RP/USP and FCAV/Unesp² – concluded with 307.22 million boxes of 40.8 kg each (90 lbs), divided as follows:

• 58.09 million boxes of the Hamlin, Westin and Rubi early-season varieties;
• 18.51 million boxes of the Valencia Americana, Seleta, Pineapple and Alvorada early-season varieties;
• 97.62 million boxes of the Pera Rio mid-season variety;
• 105.20 million boxes of the Valencia and Valencia Folha Murcha late-season varieties;
• 27.80 million boxes of the Natal late-season variety.

Of the total, about 27.82 million boxes were produced in the Triângulo Mineiro region.

The season´s production was 2.22% lower in comparison to the previous crop, which reached 314.21 million boxes and was 0.69% below the initial forecast made in May 2023 …

Please download the complete forecast under: www.fundecitrus.com.br/pdf

¹Hamlin, Westin, Rubi, Valencia Americana, Seleta, Pineapple, Alvorada, Pera Rio, Valencia, Valencia Folha Murcha, and, Natal.
²Department of math and science, FCAV/Unesp Jaboticabal Campus.

All oranges 18.8 million boxes

The 2023-2024 Florida all orange forecast released by the USDA Agricultural Statistics Board is lowered 1.00 million boxes to 18.8 million boxes. If realised, this will be 19 percent more than last season’s revised production. The forecast consists of 6.80 million boxes of non-Valencia oranges (early, mid-season, and Navel varieties) and 12.0 million boxes of Valencia oranges. An 8-year regression was used for comparison purposes. All references to “average”, “minimum”, and “maximum” refer to the previous 10 seasons, excluding the 2017-2018 season, which was affected by Hurricane Irma, and the 2022-2023 season, which was affected by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. Average fruit per tree includes both regular bloom and the first late bloom …

Please download the full citrus crop production forecast: www.nass.usda.gov

Total forecast production of oranges¹ remains at 307.22 million boxes

The third forecast for the 2023/24 orange crop in the São Paulo and West-Southwest of Minas Gerais citrus belt, published on February 09, 2024 by Fundecitrus, in cooperation with Markestrat, FEA-RP/USP and FCAV/Unesp², maintains the projection of 307.22 million boxes of 40.8 kg each, unchanged in total volume from the previous forecast. This represents a reduction of 0.7 % when compared to the initial forecast for the season. Of the total estimated production, approximately 27.76 million boxes are expected to come from the Triângulo Mineiro region …

Please download the complete forecast under: www.fundecitrus.com.br/pdf

¹Hamlin, Westin, Rubi, Valencia Americana, Seleta, Pineapple, Alvorada, Pera Rio, Valencia, Valencia Folha Murcha, and, Natal.
²Department of math and science, FCAV/Unesp Jaboticabal Campus.

Prinova has identified growing demand for ingredients for the mind as one of nine emerging food, beverage and nutrition “mega-trends”. In a new report on functional health trends, it also spotlights the increasing prominence of branded ingredients, and growing demand for “real foods”.

The leading provider of ingredients and premixes commissioned expert researchers to analyse patterns in retail and food service and to conduct social media listening. This allowed it to build a framework of nine macro-trends that will shape the industry in 2024 and beyond.

The report highlights the growing number of products containing adaptogens and nootropics, which it attributes to factors such as enduring concerns around performance, focus and “brain fog” in the wake of the pandemic. It also notes growing demand for natural sources of caffeine, such as yerba and matcha, as consumers seek “an antidote to boom and bust caffeination”. Meanwhile, ongoing talk about the stress of modern life, coupled with research on the importance of sleep and rest, has led to “an array of adaptogenic ingredients” being included in everyday food and beverage products.

The Prinova report also notes that “branded ingredients are emerging from the depths of the ingredient list, with logos making their way to the front of product packaging, “particularly in categories like plant-based and performance nutrition. Prinova’s range of branded ingredients includes enduracarb^® , a science-backed, slow-release ‘double sugar’ for endurance, and Bacopin^®, a bacopa monniera ingredient which, studies show, may help improve memory and attention.

Other mega-trends identified in the report include:

• ‘Real Food Rules’: A shift away from complicated ingredient lists as consumers embrace ingredients in their most natural, unprocessed form. This includes recognising the benefit of animal-based products again, including previously maligned elements such as full fat.
• ‘Hack my Health’: With growing interest in the way products interact with our genotypes, phenotypes and lifestyles, companies are increasingly offering personalised services to cater for unique needs.
• ‘Targeted Nutrition’: Consumers are increasingly aware of the nutritional interventions they can make to improve their wellbeing at different life stages. More knowledgeable than ever, they are looking for products with detailed claims.

James Street, Marketing Director, EMEA & APAC at Prinova, said: “Consumers are looking to food, beverage and nutrition products to meet a growing number of needs. To identify where the opportunities are, and to help our customers create innovative, new products, we’ve created a future-facing framework that identifies the most important emerging trends. We’ve seen how consumers are looking for nutritional ‘hacks’ in areas like cognitive performance and emotional wellbeing, while also yearning for a return to products with ‘real food’ or ‘natural’ credentials. And our research also shows that manufacturers are recognising branded ingredients as one of the best ways to communicate science-backed benefits and bolster credibility.”

Discover the emerging trends in the full report: https://www.prinovaglobal.com/eu/en/resources/news/2024-and-2025-trends

dsm-firmenich, a leading innovator in health, nutrition, and beauty, announces Peach+ as the 12^th annual “Flavour of the Year” for 2024. Peach+ was inspired by PANTONE^® 13-1023 Peach Fuzz, the 2024 Colour of the Year from PANTONE^®, a global colour authority and provider of professional colour language standards and digital solutions for the design community. The selections were based on emerging signals in the cultural and consumer landscape where trends in kindness, community, goodness, and comfort have all been identified as having increasing relevancy. For more than 20 years, both companies have observed many of the same trend sources, drawing inspiration from a wide variety of influences, including culinary, fashion, hair and beauty, packaging and multimedia design, home decor and interior design, architecture, art, and the cultural zeitgeist.

Peach+ is an invitation to dsm-firmenich customers to innovate with this beloved flavour, to go beyond the traditional juicy sweet aspects to also consider softer, smoother, lighter, more refreshing, textural elements.

“Now in its 12^th year, the announcement of the Flavour of the Year is an eagerly anticipated event,” said Maurizio Clementi, EVP Taste for Taste, Texture & Health at dsm-firmenich. “The delicate and natural qualities of Peach+ call for diverse applications across multiple food and beverage industries, and we are excited to see the innovations of our clients upon receiving this news.”

Empowering customers with insights into trends

The peach is one of the oldest cultivated fruits in the world, with a 4,000-year-old history that began in China and continues to this day. China is the world leader in peach production and exportation, with over 400 varietals under cultivation.

“Our research reveals that peach has many multifaceted meanings,” said Jeffrey Richard Schmoyer, VP of Human Insights for Taste, Texture & Health at dsm-firmenich. “And peach is incredibly emotional. While the peach has a long history, it also has an innovative future.”  According to Emotions 360^™, a proprietary dsm-firmenich consumer study that measures consumer emotions associated with ingredients, the peach is somewhat unique in that it has many innate qualities that contrast, such as being both indulgent and pampering, but also refreshing and revitalising, and youthful, but nostalgic.

Peach has been an evergreen fruit flavour in many categories for decades with a steady share of presence in innovations in most regions. Today, peach is growing in popularity in some regions and categories both as the primary tonality and in combination with others. The most prevalent areas of growth for peach new product development are carbonated soft drinks, nectars, candies, ready-to-drink teas, teas, flavoured alcoholic drinks, yogurt and fruit preparations, dairy drinks, juices containing peach, and fruit preserves. Other areas showing promise for growth are functional drinks and powdered soft drinks, as well as more savory opportunities for peach including side dishes, noodles, processed cheeses, and protein analogs. Peach in combination also spiked in favour of passion fruit plus peach, mango plus peach, peach plus tea, and apricot plus peach.

’’Flavour of the Year showcases emerging trends in flavour through proactive sensory experiences and creations, and completes its mission year after year, which is to empower our customers to be leaders in global trends,” says Mikel Cirkus, Global Creative Director for Taste, Texture & Health at dsm-firmenich. The company identifies countless possibilities to put the Plus in Peach for 2024, and confidently envisions how customers can lead with these emerging trends to ultimately create products with high impact and superior business relevancy.

The World Citrus Organisation (WCO) has released its annual Northern Hemisphere Citrus Forecast for the upcoming citrus season (2023-24). The Forecast was released on the occasion of the Global Citrus Outlook conference organized by WCO. The forecast is based on data from Egypt, Greece, Israel, Italy, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, and the United States. This year, the Forecast shows that citrus production is projected to reach 28,976,001 T, which represents a 12.2 % increase compared to the previous peak low season. The 2023/2024 forecast is 1.48 % higher than the average of the last 4 seasons.

WCO, the World Citrus Organisation, released its annual Northern Hemisphere citrus forecast for the upcoming season (2023-24). The preliminary Forecast is based on data from industry associations from the Mediterranean region and the United States. Total citrus exports are expected to follow a similar trend at 9,483,770 T, up by 11.4 % from last season and 4.5 % from the last four seasons’ average.

Philippe Binard, WCO Secretary General, summarised the outcome of the Forecast. “The market insights we received indicate a recovery from the low point of last season. The growth is mainly influenced by growth in Turkey and Egypt while other countries are stable or only recorded marginal gains”. Eric Imbert from CIRAD added, “While this year’s forecast shows a recovery with variable conditions across the producing countries and citrus categories, many parameters have to be taken into account for the market analysis”. He added: “Climatic issues, such as late frost, drought, heat waves, or new pests and diseases influenced the quality, colouring, or harvest date for the production. The market will still be impacted by geopolitical instability while consumer demand is under pressure due to limitation of purchasing power and inflation”.

Looking at the country-specific figures for the largest producers in the EU, Spain’s citrus production at 5.9 MT is up by 2 % to previous seasons, with stable soft citrus compared to last year, fewer oranges (- 6 %) and more lemons. Italy is up by 6 % at 2.6 MT, with more oranges (+ 20 %) and less soft citrus and lemons (- 10 % each), while Greece is down by 7 % to 1.1 MT. In the other Mediterranean countries, Turkey is now the market leader with a first production estimate of 6.5 MT (+ 45 %), with strong growth across all categories. The Turkish production forecast could even exceed 7 MT. This results from the increased acreage and productivity, alternance, and favourable climatic conditions. Egypt at 5.4 MT is up by 10 % from the previous season and 15 % from the average of the last 4 years. The main category is oranges with 3,7 MT (+ 5 %) while soft citrus’s double-digit growth should almost reach 1.3 MT. Morocco’s production is expected to partially recover, bouncing back to just over 2 MT, with 1 MT of soft citrus (+ 11 %) and 930,000 T of oranges. Israel’s production is estimated at 365,000 T, but the recent conflict and attack on the country is a source of multiple challenges regarding supply, logistics, and human resources for harvesting and packing. The production in the United States will be up by 1 % at 4.5 MT with more oranges ( + 10 % at 2.4 MT) but less soft citrus (- 2 % at 856,000 T) and even less so for lemon ( – 12 % at 889,000 T).

Philippe Binard added: “WCO is also setting some trends for the expected utilization of citrus for the upcoming season. The global citrus exports will be up by 11 % to reach 9,4 MT, while processing will increase by 8 % to reach 4,7 MT, leaving 14.7 MT for domestic sales (+ 14 %.). Next April, the WCO will release the 2024 production and export forecast for the Southern Hemisphere.

The yearly WAPA report was published on the occasion of the Prognosfruit held in Trentino (Italy): Italian production levels are stable, France and Spain grow, while Poland and Germany suffer a slump.

The new challenges in the apple industry will headline the Interpoma 2024, the only trade fair in the entire world specialised in apples. The trade fair will run between 21 and 23 November 2024 at the Fiera Bolzano.

During the hiatus between the South Tyrolean trade fair, which takes place every two years – the last edition was held in November 2022 – apple enthusiasts can look forward to Prognosfruit 2023, the yearly, itinerant trade fair during which WAPA, the World Apple and Pear Association, publishes a report containing forecasts on the upcoming European apple harvest. Due to WAPA’s choice of location, this year’s Interpoma supported and promoted Prognosfruit as the event’s Technical Sponsor. This meant that every fairgoer received the second edition of Interpoma’s official magazine, the Ipoma Magazine, printed on 100 % apple paper and bursting with news on the industry. Gerhard Dichgans coordinates the magazine, which goes into detail across numerous topics. The second edition focused on topics such as “Rise and Fall of a Superstar: Why the Red Delicious has gone downhill”, “Precision agriculture and AI predictions in orchards”, “Love and Craft: How Japan raised the apple to the status of cultural asset”, “Juicy Dividends in Normandy: How apples not suited for raw consumption are transformed into cider and Calvados”.

The Prognosfruit 2023 was held in Trentino (Italy) and revealed that forecast European production will reach 11,411,000 tons, a 3.3 % drop compared to last year. The country dragging production down is Poland, the largest European apple producer overall, with a – 11.1 % drop YOY. If we turn to Italy, production levels are strong yet stable, helping it maintain its second position in Europe with an estimated 2,104,000 tons. If we dig deeper, South Tyrolean and Trentino production are on the rise, respectively at + 7 % and + 4 %. Moving to upcoming trends, France and Spain have proved to be quite lively markets: Forecasts for France speak of a harvest equaling 1,501,000 tons, + 7.9 % YOY on growth and + 9.5 % compared to the average of the last three years. Spain performs even better with its 536.000 tons, representing an astounding + 30.1 % YOY growth and + 14.8 % compared to the average of the last three years. However, what goes up, must come down: That fate has befallen Germany, as estimates speak of a harvest yielding 952,000 tons, i.e. – 11.2 % YOY and – 7.9 % compared to the last triennium.

These new trends and much, much more will be in the spotlight between 21 and 23 November 2024 in Bolzano during Interpoma and the satellite Interpoma Congress, where international apple experts gather to exchange ideas and updates about the industry.

2023 -2024 orange crop forecast

The 2023 – 2024 orange crop forecast for the São Paulo and West-Southwest Minas Gerais citrus beltby Fundecitrus in cooperation with Markestrat and full professors at FEA-RP/USP and FCAV/Unesp, is 309.34 million boxes (40.8 kg). Total orange production includes:

• 56.11 million boxes of the Hamlin, Westin and Rubi varieties;
• 18.22 million boxes of the Valencia Americana, Seleta, Pineapple and Alvorada;
• 98.95 million boxes of the Pera Rio variety;
• 105.23 million boxes of the Valencia and Valencia Folha Murcha varieties;
• 30.83 million boxes of the Natal variety.

Approximately 27.02 million boxes are expected to be produced in the Triângulo Mineiro region.

The projected volume is lower only by 1.55 percent as compared to the previous crop, which totaled 314.21 million boxes. That minor difference maintains the production at the same level as in the previous crop season and within the average range for the last ten years, as shown in Graph 1. As compared to the average volume produced in the last decade, the current crop shows a slight increase of 1.04 percent …

Please download the complete forecast under: www.fundecitrus.com.br/pdf

The orange output in the citrus belt in southeastern Brazil (São Paulo and the Triângulo Mineiro) in the 2023/24 season is estimated at 309.34 million boxes of 40.8 kg each, according to data from Fundecitrus (Citrus Defense Fund) released on May 10th. This volume is 1.5 % lower than that harvested last season.

According to Fundecitrus, the major reasons for the lower harvest are rains above the historical average (although they have favoured both the vigor of trees and fruits growth, rains raised flower rotten), the negative biennial cycle (except for northern SP, where productivity was lower last season), lower blooming for some late varieties (whose harvesting was delayed and/or production was high in 2022/23) and the higher incidence of greening, which is expected to raise the rate of fruit fall. On the other hand, high moisture may favour fruits weight, which may be the highest since 2017/18.

As for productivity, the average forecast for the citrus belt is at 918 boxes per hectare, a slight 0.6 % up from that in the 2022/23 season.

Although the harvest expected in the citrus belt is within the average of the last 10 years, the needs of juice processors in SP for oranges is very high. Inventories are low, and the number of oranges to be available is not expected to be enough for stocks to recover.

Indeed, according to a report from CitrusBR released this month, the volume of juice stocked by the processors in SP in Dec/22 was 14.5 % lower than that in the same period of 2021. If this percentage continues stable until the end of the 2022/23 season (on June 30, 2023), ending stocks may total 122.3 thousand tons (juice equivalent), very low – maybe even insufficient – to meet the markets’ demand until the new season steps up.