Agricultural statistics: production potential of plantations of fruit trees (repeal. Directive 76/625/EEC)

The European Commission has presented its report on the experience acquired from the statistical survey on plantations of certain species of fruit trees, carried out by the Member States in 2002 in application of Directive 2001/109/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.

The 2002 basic survey on plantations of certain species of fruit trees was carried out in the 15 EU Member States. The following species were surveyed:

- dessert apples (in the Member States of EU-15);

- dessert pears (in the Member States of EU-15, except Ireland and Finland);

- peaches (in France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Austria only);

- apricots (in France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Austria only);

- oranges (in France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain only);

- lemons (in France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain only);

- small-fruited citrus fruit (in France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain only).

Data on plantations producing apples for uses other than dessert fruit were sent optional by Germany, Spain, Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal and United Kingdom. Data on plantations producing pears for uses other than dessert fruit were sent optionally by Germany, Spain, Luxembourg and Netherlands.

The 2002 survey was a complete enumeration in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Austria, Finland, Sweden and United Kingdom (for large holdings); an area frame sampling in Spain; a farm sample survey in the other Member States.

The data from all Member States were transmitted in accordance with the rules and technical parameters indicated in the Commission Decision 2002/38/EC.

Compared with the 1997 survey, progress was made regarding "the area of orchard considered". All Member States sent the 2002 survey results in terms of net orchards area ("net area" means surface solely occupied by trees). The 2002 survey can be considered satisfactory in overall terms.

87,5% of the EU orchard area was concentrated in Spain, Italy, Greece and France. The EU orchard area declined by approximately 161 000 ha (13% in relative terms) from 1997 to 2002. This decline was particularly notable for apple and peach trees (both in absolute values and in relation to the total area under these species). On the other hand, there was an increase for small-fruited citrus trees (resulting mainly from a significant rise in Spain). With the exception of Greece, Ireland and Finland, areas under fruit trees shrank in all Member States. An analysis of the proportion of the individual varieties, within a given species, reveals considerable developments linked to changes in consumer preferences.