The production of peaches and nectarines in Catalonia will increase by 14% in 2026, reaching 422,870 tons, according to estimates by the Business Association of Fruit of Catalonia, presented during Interprunus, the International Peach and Nectarine Forum held in Lleida.
According to the entity, this increase represents an "important recovery" after a moderate campaign in 2025, in which the productive potential fell below usual levels, as detailed by Afrucat this Thursday in a statement.
By producing areas, Lleida will continue to concentrate the largest part of the Catalan harvest, with up to 403,970 tons forecast, which represents 14% more than in 2025. In Tarragona, the association calculates a harvest of 15,340 tons, 0.8% above the previous year.
Despite these upward forecasts, Afrucat has pointed out the impact of adverse weather events so far this campaign, with several hailstorms in April and May and some isolated frosts, so the organization remains attentive to the final evolution and the definitive assessment of the damages.
Spain and Europe
For Spain as a whole, the association also projects a favorable trend, with a total harvest of up to 1,514,367 tons, 6% higher than in 2025, supported by positive weather conditions and a slightly smaller area, but with a higher degree of technification.
In the European sphere, the expected production stands at 3,408,864 tons, 9% more than in 2025, reflecting a recovery in the productive potential of the main producing countries, which are Greece (+24%), Italy (+3%), and France (+4%).