‘Significant increases, unprecedented production’ in fruit crops this year

  • Lusa
  • 18 November 2021

As for annual crops, the highlight goes to tomatoes for industry "which, as a result of a historically high unit yield, will again exceed 1.5 million tonnes".

Fruit crops are expected to see “significant increases” in production this year, with kiwi and apple reaching the first and second best results in 35 years, respectively, with “unprecedented productivity” in olive groves, according to Statistics Portugal (INE).

According to the agriculture forecasts for 31 October published on Thursday by INE, a 40% increase in production of pears compared to the previous season, the “highest production of almonds in the last 24 years”, a rise of 5% in wine and a drop of 10% in chestnuts are also expected.

As for annual crops, the highlight goes to tomatoes for industry “which, as a result of a historically high unit yield, will again exceed 1.5 million tonnes”, while rice production should also increase (+30%), as a result of the combination of increased area and productivity, and maize production is expected to reach 716,000 tonnes (+5% compared to 2020).