Commission staff working document - Accompanying document to the Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the experience acquired from the statistical survey on plantations of certain species of fruit trees, carried out by the Member States in 2007 in application of Directive 2001/109/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 2001 COM(2010)340 final
Date: 2010-06-28
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: agricultural statistics, fruit-growing, plantation, production capacity, report, statistics

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EUROPEAN COMMISSION  

Brussels, 28.6.2010 
SEC(2010)776 final 

COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 

accompanying document to the Report from the Commission to the European 
Parliament and the Council on the experience acquired from the statistical survey on 
plantations of certain species of fruit trees, carried out by the Member States in 2007 in 
application of Directive 2001/109/EC of the European Parliament  
and of the Council of 19 December 2001 

COM(2010)340 final 

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   EN 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
ANNEX 1 

2007 basic survey of fruit trees 

Member State  Data transmitted (and accepted) 

BELGIUM 

BULGARIA 

CZECH REPUBLIC 

DENMARK 

GERMANY 

ESTONIA 

IRELAND 

GREECE 

SPAIN 

FRANCE 

ITALY 

CYPRUS 

LATVIA 

LITHUANIA 

LUXEMBOURG 

HUNGARY 

MALTA 

NETHERLANDS 

AUSTRIA 

POLAND 

PORTUGAL 

ROMANIA 

SLOVENIA 

SLOVAKIA 

FINLAND 

SWEDEN 

UNITED KINGDOM

03/02/2009 

25/08/2008 

16/05/2008 

04/03/2008 

23/09/2008 

19/09/2008  

12/09/2008 

01/12/2008 

01/10/2008 

29/05/2008 

08/10/2008 

20/10/2008 

02/09/2008 

14/12/2007 

13/02/2008 

20/10/2008 

06/02/2008 

12/09/2008 

05/06/2008 

17/04/2008 

27/08/2007 

30/09/2008 

29/09/2008 

04/09/2008 

30/09/2008 

01/10/2008 

08/01/2008 

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ANNEX 2 

SPECIES SURVEYED IN THE VARIOUS MEMBER STATES 

Apples  Pears  Peaches Apricots Oranges  Lemons 

Small 
Citrus 
fruits 

Belgium 

Bulgaria 

Czech 
Republic 

Denmark 

Germany 

Estonia 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Ireland 

Italy 

Cyprus 

Latvia 

Lithuania 

Luxembourg 

Hungary 

Malta 

Netherlands 

Austria 

Poland 

Portugal 

Romania 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

Finland 

Sweden 

United 
Kingdom 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x* 

x* 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x* 

x 

x* 

x 

x* 

x* 

x* 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x* 

x 

x* 

x* 

x* 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

* Surveys are not conducted for: age of trees, density of plantation and variety. 

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ANNEX 3 

SURVEY METHODS USED BY THE MEMBER STATES - BASIC SURVEY 2007 

BELGIUM 

BULGARIA 

CZECH 
REPUBLIC 

DENMARK 

1. Coverage 
1.1 Species surveyed 

1.1.1 Based on Directive 

Apple and pear trees 
(dessert varieties) 

Apple, pear, peach 
and apricot trees 
(dessert varieties)  

Apple, pear, peach 
and apricot trees 
(dessert varieties)  

Apple and pear trees 
(dessert varieties) 

1.1.2 Others 

None 

Cherry, morello, 
plum, walnut, almond 

1.2 Holdings (minimum 

None 

threshold of orchards) 

2. Type of survey 

Exhaustive survey 

3. Reference period/date 

1 November 2007 

4. Survey date 

November 2007 

All holdings 
complying with the 
thresholds for 
agricultural holdings 
in FSS that cultivated 
at least 500m² of 
orchards and having 
orchard parcels of at 
least 500m² 

Exhaustive survey 
(for holdings that 
cultivate more than 1 
dca orchards) and 
sample survey (for 
holdings that cultivate 
less than 1 dca 
orchards) 

The crop year 
2006/2007 for the 
utilized agricultural 
area of survey 
holdings; 

The autumn 2006-
spring 2007 for newly 
planted orchards 

16 June -31 August 
2007 

Cherry, Sour cherry, 
Plum, other fruit and 
bushes (Walnut, Cob-
nut, Almond, Currant 
bushes, Gooseberry 
bushes, Bramble 
bushes, Raspberry 
bushes) 

Holdings have to 
respect two 
conditions: at least 15 
are of orchard and 
>50% of the fruit 
production for market 

None 

All holdings with 
planted areas with 
apple and pear trees 
for commercial 
purposes 

Complete census, face 
to face interviews 
(3,069 holdings) 

Complete census, 
mail survey 

1st May 2007 

31st May 2007 

Not mentioned 

June 2007 

5. Survey characteristics 
5.1 Based on Directive 

5.1.1 Orchard area 
considered 

Net planted area  

The fruit plantations 
in the agricultural 
holdings 

Gross area, covering 
net and mixed 
plantations 

Net area 

5.1.2 Varieties 

Exhaustive coverage of 
varieties 

Specified significant 
varieties and “others” 

Specified  significant 
varieties and “others” 

Pre-selected list of 
major varieties, plus 
"others" 

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BELGIUM 

BULGARIA 

CZECH 
REPUBLIC 

5.1.3 Age 

Actual year of planting 

5.1.4 Density 

Number of trees per 
hectare 

5.2 Others 

None 

Age classes 
determined from the 
year of planting 

Calculated using the 
spacing between the 
rows and in the rows 
for each fruit species, 
and estimated as 
number of trees per ha 

Holdings cultivating 
fruit trees, areas of 
new plantations, 
grubbed and 
destination of fruit 
production 

of 

trees 

Age 
is 
counted from the year 
of planting 

DENMARK 

Age classes 
determined since the 
year of planting 

on 

Calculated 
the 
basis of the number of 
trees and planted area 

Calculation based on 
planted area and the 
number of trees 

Not mentioned 

Not mentioned 

5.3 Accuracy 

Census 

Not mentioned 

Not mentioned 

Not mentioned 

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GERMANY 

ESTONIA 

IRELAND 

GREECE 

1. Coverage 
1.1 Species surveyed 

1.1.1 Based on Directive 

Apple and pear trees 

Apple trees (dessert 
varieties) 

Apple trees 

Apple, pear, peach, 
apricot, orange, small 
citrus fruit and lemon 
trees 

1.1.2 Others 

Plum and cherry trees 

None 

None 

Cherry trees 

1.2 Holdings (minimum 

threshold of orchards) 

Holdings with at least 
30 are of the defined 
species, producing fruit 
for sale 

All holdings which 
produce apples for 
sale  

2. Type of survey 

Complete enumeration 

Survey conducted 
jointly with the FSS. 
This survey was a 
combination of 
complete enumeration 
for larger surveys and 
a sample survey for 
small ones: the 
number of holdings 
surveyed was 20,000. 

All holdings with 
commercial orchard 
area. All holdings 
with more than 0.10 
ha of apple, including 
cider 

Complete census, 
conducted by post 
with visit to the farm 
if needed 

Holdings with at least 
10 are (0.1 hectare) 
planted with the 
defined species 

Stratified sample by 
size classes of orchard 
with exhaustive 
survey to holdings 
with more than 10 ha 

3. Reference period/date 

1st June 2007 

31st March 2007 

4. Survey date 

January-June 2007 

June-November 2007  August 2007 

5. Survey characteristics 
5.1 Based on Directive 

5.1.1 Orchard area 
considered 

Net area 

Net area 

Net area 

5.1.2 Varieties 

Exhaustive coverage of 
varieties 

5.1.3 Age 

5.1.4 Density 

The actual year of 
planting (autumn or 
spring) 

Calculation based on 
the number of trees per 
hectare or on tree 
spacing in and between 
rows 

Pre-selected list of 
major varieties (4 
from EU list + 28 
local varieties), plus 
"others" 

Exhaustive coverage 
of varieties. 
Pre-selected list of 
major varieties, plus 
'others'  

The actual year of 
planting  

The actual year of 
planting 

Calculation based on 
the number of trees 
and of area 

Calculation based on 
planted area and the 
number of trees  

May-July 2007 
Reference period  

Net area of regular 
groves, separated on a 
pro rata basis if 
mixed regular groves 
(more than 1 specie)  

Pre-selected list of 
major varieties, plus 
"others" 

The actual year of 
planting (autumn or 
spring) 

Calculation based on 
planted area 

5.2 Others 

Not mentioned 

Not mentioned 

Significant amount of 
information on farms 
producing apples 

Not mentioned 

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GERMANY 

ESTONIA 

IRELAND 

GREECE 

5.3 Accuracy 

Not mentioned 

Comprehensive 
number of tests. 
Sampling error:0,8% 

Census survey 

The coefficients of 
variation (%) of 
production zones for 
each variety of trees 
separately do not 
exceed 2% of total for 
country 

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1. Coverage 
1.1 Species surveyed 

1.1.1 Based on Directive 

SPAIN 

FRANCE 

ITALY 

CYPRUS 

Apple, pear, peach, 
apricot, orange, small 
citrus fruit and lemon 
trees 

Apple and pear (dessert 
varieties), peach, 
apricot, orange, small 
citrus fruit and lemon 
trees 

Apple and pear 
(dessert varieties), 
peach, apricot, 
orange, small citrus 
fruit and lemon trees  

Apple and pear 
(dessert varieties), 
peach, apricot, 
orange, small citrus 
fruit and lemon trees  

1.1.2 Others 

Not mentioned 

1.2 Holdings (minimum 

threshold of orchards) 

Holdings with at least 
5 are producing fruit 
intended for sale 

Plum, cherry, kiwi and 
nut trees 

Holdings with at least 
50 are of orchard area 
Orchard is a regularly 
maintained plantation 
(annual cut, regular 
treatments) of fruit trees 
(for human consumption 
or for industry), of a 
density of at least 100 
individuals per hectare, 
i.e. a maximum spacing 
of 10 to 10 metres  

Not mentioned 

Grapefruit trees 

All holdings with an 
area planted with fruit 
trees, provided that 
the fruit produced is 
entirely or mainly 
intended for market 
during the 2007 
agricultural year 
No physical threshold 

Agricultural holdings 
with a minimum area 
of 0.1 ha planted with 
fruit trees (at least 
95% of the total area 
planted with fruit 
trees) 

2. Type of survey 

Area frame sampling
(MAST – Marco de 
Áreas y Segmentos 
Territoriales), 

Random sampling 
(6,500 holdings 
surveyed for a universe 
of 24,444) 

Sample survey (to a 
stratified sample of 
20,744 holdings) 
Face to face 
interviews and paper 
questionnaires 

Sample survey based 
on a sample of 
holdings having at 
least 0.1 ha of 
cultivated area with 
fruit trees 

3. Reference period/date 

Not mentioned 

1st April 2007-31st 
March 2008 

1st November 2006-
31st October 2007) 

1st October 2006 – 
30th September 2007 

4. Survey date 

February-December 
2007 

January- June 2007 

October 2007-June 
2008 
Simultaneously with 
FSS 2007 

October 2007 – 
March 2008 

5. Survey characteristics 
5.1 Based on Directive 

5.1.1 Orchard area 
considered 

5.1.2 Varieties 

5.1.3 Age 

Net area 

Net area (calculated 
from gross area 
surveyed);  
including (pro-rata) 
areas of associated 
plantations. Trees in 
rows and isolated 
trees are not covered 

Pre-selected list of 
major varieties, plus 
"others" 

Pre-selected list of 
major varieties, plus 
"others" 

Net area; including 
areas utilised for the 
agricultural 
machinery, excluded 
areas with windbreak 
plans or with border 
wooded crops or with 
walking paths 

Exhaustive list from 
Commission Decision 

The actual year of 
planting 

The actual year of plan-
ting (autumn or spring) 

The actual year of 
planting or grafting 

Net area 

Pre-selected list of the 
major varieties for 
each species of fruit, 
plus a group 'other' 

Calculated from the 
time of their planting 
in the orchard 

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5.1.4 Density 

SPAIN 

FRANCE 

ITALY 

CYPRUS 

Calculated on the 
basis of tree spacing 
in and between rows 

Calculated on the basis 
of tree spacing in and 
between rows giving the 
number of trees per ha 

Calculated on the 
basis of number of 
plants and planted 
area  

Calculated on the 
basis of the area and 
the number of trees 
per 0.1 ha 

5.2 Others 

Not mentioned 

5.3 Accuracy 

Not mentioned 

Volume of the 
production, trade 
circuits, Technical 
management of the 
plantations, 
permanent/temporary 
labour force, storage 
capacity, agricultural 
practices (irrigation, 
plant protection 
products, etc.) 

Thresholds respected 
with the exception of 
citrus fruit trees 

No 

Not mentioned 
However, as the 
survey was carried 
out simultaneously 
with the FSS, it would 
be possible to cross 
orchard areas with the 
other characteristics 
of the holdings 

Estimated regional 
accuracy of 5% 

Not mentioned 

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1. Coverage 
1.1 Species surveyed 

1.1.1 Based on Directive 

LATVIA 

LITHUANIA 

LUXEMBOURG 

HUNGARY 

Apple and pear trees 
(dessert varieties) 

Apple and pear trees 
(dessert varieties) 

Apple and pear trees 
(dessert varieties) 

Apple and pear 
(dessert varieties), 
peach and apricot 
trees 

1.1.2 Others 

Not mentioned 

Not mentioned 

Not mentioned 

None 

1.2 Holdings (minimum 

threshold of orchards) 

Members of Latvian 
Fruit Growers Ass. 
(production for sale) 
and all holdings with at 
least 100 are of orchard 
producing apples 
and/or pears for sale 

"Holdings with an 
area planted with 
dessert apple trees and 
dessert pear trees, 
provided that the fruit 
produced is entirely or 
mainly intended for 
the market" 

Holdings with at least 
15 are of fruit trees of 
the defined species 
producing fruit for 
sale. 

2. Type of survey 

Complete enumeration 
(face to face interview 
or by post and/or 
telephone) 

Complete census (face 
to face interview, 157 
holdings) 

Not mentioned 

3. Reference period/date 

Not mentioned 

1st June 2007 

Not mentioned 

4. Survey date 

Not mentioned 

1st to 29th June 2007 

During 2007 

"Plantation (orchard) 
which is an area of at 
least 1500 m2 planted 
with the same fruit 
species in a 
continuous pattern 
and where the spacing 
is determined by 
taking into account 
the given fruit 
species/variety  

Random sampling 
(face to face 
interview, more than 
12 thousand orchards 
in almost 750 
municipalities, with 
cadastre maps) 

31st May 2007 

1st June to 15th 
October 2007 

5. Survey characteristics 
5.1 Based on Directive 

5.1.1 Orchard area 
considered 

5.1.2 Varieties 

5.1.3 Age 

5.1.4 Density 

Net area on regular 
plantation (isolated 
trees not included) 

Net area, i.e. the area 
solely occupied by 
trees without 
windbreaks driving 
paths of quarters 

All varieties with more 
than 3% of the total 
area (5 apple and 5 pear 
trees of local varieties) 

Pre-selected list of 
major varieties (19 
apple and 6 pear 
local), plus "others" 

Number of trees by age 
classes 

Actual year of 
planting 

Net planted area 

Net planted area 

Pre-selected list of 
major varieties, plus 
"others" 

Pre-selected list of 
major varieties, plus 
"others" 

Actual year of 
planting (autumn or 
spring) 

Actual year of 
planting (autumn or 
spring) 

Calculated on the basis 
of area and number of 
trees 

Calculated on the 
basis of area and 
number of trees 

In accordance with 
the Commission 
Decision 

In accordance with 
the Commission 
Decision 

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LATVIA 

LITHUANIA 

LUXEMBOURG 

HUNGARY 

5.2 Others 

No 

5.3 Accuracy 

Not mentioned 

Number of farms with 
apple and/or pear trees
As the survey was 
carried out 
simultaneously with 
the FSS, it would be 
possible to cross 
orchard areas with the 
others characteristics 
of the holdings 

Census, coherence 
tests 

Not mentioned 

Productiveness and 
kilter of the orchard 

Not mentioned 

The relative standard 
error is less than 2 % 
at 68.3°% confidence 
level 

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MALTA 

NETHERLANDS 

AUSTRIA 

POLAND 

1. Coverage 
1.1 Species surveyed 

1.1.1 Based on Directive 

Peach trees 

Apple and pear trees 
(dessert varieties) 

1.1.2 Others 

None 

Not mentioned 

Apple and pear trees 
(dessert varieties), 
peach, nectarine and 
apricot (dessert 
varieties) trees 

Berry, elderberry, 
nut, cherry and plum 
trees 

Holdings with at least 
15 are of fruit trees of 
the defined species 
producing fruit for 
sale. 
Exclusives berries 
holding with at least 
10 are (not covered 
by the orchard 
directive) 

Exhaustive survey. 

Apple and pear 
(dessert varieties), 
peach and apricot 
trees 

Plum, sour and sweet 
cherry and walnut 
trees and apple trees 
by type of rootstock 
(dwarf, semi-dwarf 
and hard-growing) 
and a comprehensive 
number of fruit bushes 
and of berry 
plantations 

Holdings which are 
producing fruit 
entirely or mainly 
intended for the 
market. The surveyed 
population were all 
private farms 
possessing orchard 
(15,000 farms i.e. 
more than 5%of 
whole population) 

Random sampling 
survey of about 
15,000 farms, where 
all farms with more 
than 10 ha of orchard 
were included in the 
sample 
Face to face 
interviews for private 
farms and by post for 
cooperative farms and 
companies 

The minimum size is 
3 Dutch Size Units 
(NGE). 1 NGE 
corresponds to a SGM 
of 1400 euro. 3 NGE 
corresponds to about 
0.4 ha of pear trees or 
to about 0.6 ha of 
apple trees. 

Exhaustive annual 
farm structure census 
by postal mail 
(response 98%) for 
the total areas of 
apples and pears. A 
survey by postal mail 
(covering 88% of the 
area of apples and 
pears, response 42%) 
for the details on 
variety, planting 
density and planting 
year. 

1.2 Holdings (minimum 

threshold of orchards) 

No thresholds were 
used and the entire 
population on the 
agricultural register 
were interviewed 

Random sampling by 
farm type, economic 
size and region (1.332 
agricultural holdings, 
response 88%). By 
telephone for holdings 
with an economic size 
class three and below 
(>0-<6 ESU) and face 
to face interview for 
holdings with an 
economic size of class 
four and above 
(>6ESU) 
1st September 2007 

2. Type of survey 

3. Reference period/date 

4. Survey date 

5. Survey characteristics 
5.1 Based on Directive 

5.1.1 Orchard area 
considered 

Not mentioned 

1 June 2007 

30th June 

September - November 
2007 

December 2007 

May 2007-September 
2007. 

October 2007 

Not applicable 

Net planted area. 
Mixed cropping with 
apples and pears is 
negligible in the 
Netherlands. 

Net orchard area, 
calculated by 
multiplying the 
number of trees by 
the distance between 
trees. 

Net area, i.e. the area 
occupied by trees 
without paths 

EN 

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MALTA 

NETHERLANDS 

AUSTRIA 

POLAND 

Exhaustive coverage 
of varieties. 

Actual year of 
planting (autumn or 
spring) 

Pre-selected list of 
major varieties, plus 
"others" 

Determined by 
number of years since 
planting to the orchard 
on a permanent place 

5.1.2 Varieties 

Not applicable 

5.1.3 Age 

Not applicable 

5.1.4 Density 

Not applicable 

Pre-selected list of 
major varieties, plus 
"others" 

The farmers were 
asked to give the area 
by variety divided 
into the five age-
classes. (the age class 
0-4 means that the 
area was planted 
between the summer 
of 2002 and 2007; and 
so on) 

The density was 
calculated by 
Statistics Netherlands  

5.2 Others 

Not applicable 

Not mentioned 

Not mentioned 

Number of trees per 
hectare in the 
plantation and trees 
separation. 

Based on the number 
of trees per hectare 

The scope of the 
survey was extended 
by characteristics 
covering the needs of 
national users; other 
species of fruit trees, 
bushes, berry 
plantations and 
nurseries and 
information about the 
holder and the holding 
were also the subject 
of the survey, as were 
irrigated orchards and 
capacity of store 
houses and cold 
stores. 

5.3 Accuracy 

Not mentioned 

Not mentioned 

Not mentioned 

Not mentioned 

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PORTUGAL 

ROMANIA 

SLOVENIA 

SLOVAKIA 

1. Coverage 
1.1 Species surveyed 

1.1.1 Based on Directive 

1.1.2 Others 

Apple and pear (dessert 
varieties), peach, 
apricot, orange, small 
citrus fruit and lemon 
trees 

Cherry trees and kiwi 
plants 

1.2 Holdings (minimum 

threshold of orchards) 

Holdings with at least 
15 are of fruit trees of 
the defined species 
producing fruit for sale 

2. Type of survey 

Random sampling 
(6,500 holdings, around 
16% of the universe) 

3. Reference period/date 

Survey date (April-May 
2007) and crop year 
(2005/06) 

4. Survey date 

April-May 2007 

Apple and pear 
(dessert varieties), 
peach and apricot 
trees 

Apple and pear 
(dessert varieties), 
peach and apricot 
trees 

Apple and pear 
(dessert varieties), 
peach and apricot 
trees 

Sweet cherry and 
cherry and plum trees 
and walnut and other 
trees (hazelnut, 
chestnut and quince 
trees) 

All agricultural 
holdings having 
utilized agriculture 
areas with fruit tree 
plantations 

Sampling survey on 
crop production, 
based on a sample of 
80,000 agricultural 
holdings (face to face 
interview). For fruit 
trees survey a sample 
of circa 8,000 
holdings was used 

1st October 2006 – 
30th September 2007 

1st – 30th November 
2007 

Berries 

Not mentioned 

Not mentioned 

All agricultural 
holdings producing 
fruit for sale in 
intensive orchards 
(fruit tree plantations) 
and/or have at least 20 
are of fruit tree 
plantations or 10 are 
of berries  

Census, complete 
enumeration 

Complete 
enumeration by mail 

1st June 2007 

Spring 2007 

12th October 2007 

May 2007 

5. Survey characteristics 
5.1 Based on Directive 

5.1.1 Orchard area 
considered 

Net area, including pro-
rata areas of mixed 
plantations 

Net area 

Net and gross area by 
species, net area by 
varieties 

Not mentioned 

5.1.2 Varieties 

Pre-selected list of as 
many varieties as 
possible, plus "others" 

Not mentioned 

Pre-selected list of 
varieties, plus 
"others" 

Exhaustive coverage 
of varieties settled at a 
later stage 
(determination of 
category 'other 
varieties') 

EN 

14 

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5.1.3 Age 

5.1.4 Density 

5.2 Others 

5.3 Accuracy 

PORTUGAL 

ROMANIA 

SLOVENIA 

SLOVAKIA 

Actual year of planting 
(autumn or spring) 

Not collected 

The actual year of 
planting 

The actual year of 
planting 

Calculation based on 
planted area 

Collected only for 
young plantations 

Calculation based on 
planted area and the 
number of tree 

Not mentioned 

Irrigated area, the 
production, the 
production system and 
some production 
techniques 

The relative standard 
error is less than 2 % at 
68°% confidence level 

Average production  

Not mentioned 

Not mentioned 

Not mentioned 

Census 

Census 

EN 

15 

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FINLAND 

SWEDEN 

UNITED 
KINGDOM 

1. Coverage 
1.1 Species surveyed 

1.1.1 Based on Directive 

Apple trees (dessert 
varieties) 

Apple and pear trees 
(dessert varieties) 

Apple and pear trees 
(dessert varieties) 

1.1.2 Others 

Not mentioned 

None 

Not mentioned 

1.2 Holdings (minimum 

threshold of orchards) 

Holdings with an area 
of at least 0.5 ha planted 
with apple trees 
intended for sale 

All holdings with 
plantations of apple 
and/or pear trees at a 
minimum 0.25 ha 

Orchard areas with at 
least 30 are of fruit trees 
producing fruit for sale 

2. Type of survey 

Complete enumeration 
by post complemented 
by phone if necessary 

Complete 
enumeration by post 
(369 holdings) 
complemented with 
phone calls 

Complete enumeration  

3. Reference period/date 

Not mentioned 

31 December 2007 

Not mentioned 

4. Survey date 

March to May 2008 

11th January to 26th 
Mach 2008 

1st February 2007 

5. Survey characteristics 
5.1 Based on Directive 

5.1.1 Orchard area 
considered 

5.1.2 Varieties 

5.1.3 Age 

5.1.4 Density 

5.2 Others 

Net area 

Net area 

Planted area 

Pre-selected list of 
major varieties, plus 
"others" 

Pre-selected list of 
major varieties, plus 
"others" 

Pre-selected list of major 
varieties, plus "others" 

The actual year of 
planting 

Calculation based on 
planted area and the 
number of trees 

Number of trees with 
"moderate" vigour 

The actual year of 
planting or grafting is 
recorded 

Number of trees per 
hectare calculated 
from the number in 
the field 

Age brands 

Number of trees per 
hectare calculated from 
the number in the field 

Not mentioned 

Not mentioned 

5.3 Accuracy 

Census 

Census 

Census 

EN 

16 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ANNEX 4 

Main findings on the results of the statistical survey on plantations of certain species 
of fruit trees,  
carried out by the Member States in 2007 in application of Directive 2001/109/EC of 
the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 2001 

NB: Unless it is indicated the contrary the data only refers to dessert fruit production. 

EN 

17 

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Table A: Breakdown of the various fruit species by Member State and for EU - 2002 and 
2007 (ha) 

Member 

State 

EU-27 

EU-15 

Total 

Apple 

Pear 

Peach  Apricot  Orange  Lemon

Small 
citrus 
fruit 

(2007)  1,364,662  485,044 111,878 206,958

67,370  279,048  62,855 151,510

(2002)  1,065,929  226,558 109,250 201,325

59,069  252,117  68,034 149,576

(2007)  1,028,308  200,589

95,391 189,942

52,959  277,494  62,190 149,744

Belgium 

(2002) 

14,638 

(2007) 

14,058 

8,249

6,833

6,389

7,225

Bulgaria 

(2007) 

10,518 

4,121

Czech Republic 

(2007) 

13,548 

9,895

Denmark 

(2002) 

(2007) 

1,797 

1,907 

1,398

1,507

Germany 

(2002) 

29,735 

28,050

Estonia 

Ireland 

(2007) 

29,469 

27,888

(2007) 

(2002) 

(2007) 

690 

151 

149 

690

151

149

298

716

400

401

1,685

1,581

-

-

-

-

-

- 

- 

3,488

1,149

2,610 

1,788 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Greece 

(2002) 

98,088 

10,379

3,386

35,152

4,994 

33,029 

6,169

(2007) 

94,771 

9,337

3,127

34,127

3,929 

32,440 

5,180

4,978

6,632

Spain 

(2002) 

445,616 

36,293

31,306

69,476

22,615  131,435  43,851 110,640

(2007) 

459,393 

24,822

25,845

75,118

18,700  158,824  39,859 116,225

France 

(2002) 

93,038 

47,593

9,039

19,691

14,924 

(2007) 

76,638 

40,113

6,707

14,308

13,804 

29 

29 

37

22.7

1,725

1,654

Italy 

(2002) 

303,406 

54,285

38,420

73,091

15,575 

76,042  17,620

28,374

(2007) 

279,120 

55,225

32,075

63,754

15,649 

73,786  16,634

21,998

614

269 

1,554 

665

1,766

Cyprus 

Latvia 

Lithuania 

(2007) 

(2007) 

(2007) 

Luxembourg 

(2002) 

(2007) 

5,939 

925

1,557 

1,300

2,459 

2,428

981 

54 

914

46

146

258

32

67

8

-

-

-

-

- 

- 

- 

- 

Hungary 

(2007) 

47,183 

33,793

2,812

5,578

4,999 

Malta 

(2007) 

215 

-

-

215

Netherlands 

(2002) 

17,017 

11,176

Austria 

(2007) 

16,410 

9,380

(2002) 

(2007) 

8,172 

8,541 

6,952

7,229

5,841

7,030

470

506

-

-

280

211

- 

- 

- 

470 

594 

Poland 

(2007) 

176,730  165,715

7,048

2,908

1,060 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

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18 

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Member 

State 

Total 

Apple 

Pear 

Peach  Apricot  Orange  Lemon

Portugal 

(2002) 

43,590 

13,631

10,035

(2007) 

39,792 

11,711

Romania 

(2007) 

70,659 

60,494

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

Finland 

Sweden 

United  

Kingdom 

(2007) 

(2007) 

(2002) 

(2007) 

(2002) 

(2007) 

(2002) 

(2007) 

3,089 

2,438

3,765 

2,656

516 

437 

1,515 

1,224 

7,669 

6,346 

516

437

1,342

1,102

5,628

4,810

In all the tables, the figures are rounded.  

9,228

4,834

196

148

-

-

172

122

2,041

1,536

3,636

2,424

1,897

431

734

-

-

-

-

-

-

491 

11,582 

283 

12,416 

357

494

3,434 

23 

227 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Small 
citrus 
fruit 

3,859

3,235

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

The largest area of orchard occupied by the surveyed species in EU is located in Spain. Spain 
has one third of the EU-27 orchard area, and more than 40% of the EU-15 area. Large areas of 
fruit  tree  orchards  are  also  found  in  Italy  (20%  of  the  total  EU-27  area),  Poland  (13%)  and 
Greece (7%). Apple trees are the most common fruit trees grown in EU-27, covering around 
one  third  of  the  surveyed  area.  Citrus  trees  (orange,  lemon  and  small  citrus  fruit)  together 
cover a further third of the EU-27 area. 

The enlargements to EU-27 produced a substantial increase in the area under table apples and 
a smaller increase in the other areas surveyed. The area under apple trees increased more than 
2.4  times,  mainly  due  to  the  addition  of  the  Polish  and  Romanian  apple  orchards.  Pear  and 
peach tree areas increased by 17% and 13% respectively. The 27% increase of the apricot area 
was more significant. For citrus fruits, the increase in area due to the last two enlargements is 
insignificant (around 1%). 

Between  2002  and  2007,  most  of  the  orchard  areas  surveyed  in  EU-15  decreased.  The  two 
exceptions are the area under orange trees, which increased by 10%, and the area under small 
citrus  fruit,  which  stayed  more  or  less  constant.  The  remaining  fruit  tree  areas  experienced 
decreases of between 5% and 13%. The following paragraphs detail the results by fruit tree 
specie. 

In the enlarged EU, the main growers of apple trees are Poland (165,715 ha1) and Romania 
(60,494 ha). Italy and France have the two largest areas of apple trees in EU-15 (55,225 ha 
and  40,113  ha  respectively).  Between  the  two  surveys  the  total  EU-15  area  of  apple  tree 
orchards  decreased.  The  area  in  Italy  increased  slightly,  while  the  area  in  France  decreased 
significantly. In most of the other Member States, with the exception of Denmark and Austria, 
the total area under apple trees decreased. 

1 

A large part of this area produces apples that are processed and so includes not only "dessert apples" as 
requested in Directive 2001/109. This is due to the impossibility of distinguishing between those areas 
planted for dessert and those areas planted for processing in Poland.  

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19 

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The largest areas of pear tree orchards in EU-27 are in Italy (32,075 ha), Spain (25,845 ha), 
Portugal (9,228 ha) and Belgium (7,225 ha). Moreover, the total EU-15 area under pear trees 
actually decreased during the period 2002-2007. The areas in Belgium, the Netherlands and 
Austria increased, the area in Denmark stayed constant and all the pear tree orchard areas in 
EU-15 decreased between 2002 and 2007. 

In EU-27, the largest areas under peach trees are located in Spain (75,118 ha), Italy (63,754 
ha), Greece (34,127 ha) and France (14,308 ha). Among the New Member States, the largest 
area belongs to Hungary, which ranks fifth in EU-27. Spain and Italy together account for two 
thirds of the total EU-27  area.  Spain  is the only EU-15 Member State  where  the  peach tree 
orchard area increased.  

The largest area of apricot tree orchards is found in Spain (18,700 ha), followed by Italy (15, 
649 ha), France (13,804 ha) and Hungary (4,999 ha). Spain and Italy have more than half of 
the total EU-27 area of apricot tree orchards. The total area in Italy remained almost constant, 
and  areas  in  all  the  other  EU-15  Member  States  decreased,  with  the  exception  of  the 
significant increase experienced by Austria. 

With 158,824 ha under orange trees, Spain is by far the largest orange tree grower in Europe. 
It has around 55% of the EU-27 area. The 73,786 ha area in Italy represents one quarter of the 
total EU area under orange tree orchards. The other Member States where orange orchards are 
surveyed are Greece, Portugal, Cyprus and France, which together account for only 20% of 
the orange tree orchards in EU-27. Cyprus is the only New Member State that has citrus fruit 
orchards, and its contribution to the total area for all citrus fruit species is very small. Between 
2002  and  2007  the  total  EU-15  orange  tree  orchard  area  increased  owing  to  the  increase  in 
Spain  and  Portugal.  The  other  Member  States  experienced  small  decreases  in  their  orchard 
areas. 

The 39,859 ha of lemon tree orchards in Spain make up more than 60% of the EU-27 area. 
The  second  largest  area  of  lemon  tree  orchards  belongs  to  Italy  (16,634  ha);  it  represents 
around  one  quarter  of  the  EU-27  area.  The  third  largest  area  is  found  in  Greece,  which 
accounts for only 8% of the total area. The areas in Cyprus, Portugal and France represent a 
very small share of the EU-27 area (1% or less in each Member State). As only the area in 
Portugal increased, while all the others decreased, the total effect in EU-15 was a decrease in 
the total area under lemon trees. 

The largest area of small citrus fruit trees is in Spain. Its area of 116,225 ha accounts for three 
quarters of the EU-27 small citrus fruit tree orchard area. The next grower is Italy, with only 
21,998 ha, which represents around 15% of the total EU-27 area. The area increased in Spain 
and Greece, and decreased in Italy by approximately the same amount; hence the total effect 
was that the small citrus fruit orchard area remained more or less constant between 2002 and 
2007. 

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20 

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Table B: 2007 orchard area as a percentage of 2002 orchard area (EU-15) 

Denmark 

106.11

107.79 

100.22

Total 

Apple 

Pear 

Peach  Apricot  Orange  Lemon 

Small- 
citrus 
fruit  

96.47

96.04

99.10

99.17

96.62

88.54 

87.31

94.35

89.66

110.07

91.41 

100.11

82.84 

113.08

99.42 

93.82

99.17 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

- 

- 

- 

- 

-

-

-

-

89.96 

92.34

97.08

78.66

98.22

83.98 

133.21

103.09

68.39 

82.56

108.12

82.69

120.84

90.90 

105.05

82.37

84.28 

91.99

101.73 

72.67

92.50

87.23

100.48

98.58

97.03

61.62 

94.40 

95.89

77.53

74.20

83.49

11.84

Luxembourg 

5.52

5.06 

Netherlands 

96.43

83.93 

120.36

-

-

-

-

104.52

103.98 

107.78

75.52

126.43

-

-

-

- 

- 

- 

-

-

-

85.91 

91.97

66.68

57.62

107.20

138.39 

83.84

91.28

84.69

80.80

84.69 

-

82.08 

70.86

82.75

85.47 

75.27

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

- 

- 

- 

-

-

-

Member 

State 

EU-15 

Belgium 

Germany 

Ireland 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

Austria 

Portugal 

Finland 

Sweden 

United 
Kingdom 

Table B presents the change in the EU-15 orchard area by Member State and by fruit type. 
Between 2002 and 2007, the total area of orchards in EU-15 decreased by around 4% (37, 621 
ha in absolute value). Most of the fruit tree orchard areas experienced declines, ranging from 
only 6% in the case of peach trees to 13% for pear trees. The two exceptions to this downward 
trend are the areas under orange trees, which increased by 10%, and those under small citrus 
fruit, which stayed more or less constant. 

In several Member States, the total surveyed area increased. The total surveyed orchard area 
increased in Denmark (by 6%), Austria (by 4%) and Spain (by 3%). In Denmark, all the areas 
surveyed (apple and pear trees) increased. In Austria, the peach tree orchard area decreased by 
one  quarter,  while  all  the  other  areas  surveyed  saw  an  increase.  There  was  also  a  sizeable 
increase  in  the  apricot  orchard  area  (26%).  In  Spain,  there  was  a  significant  increase  in  the 
area under orange trees (21%), and a less important increase in the areas under peach tees and 
small  citrus  fruit  trees.  The  other  surveyed  areas  declines,  and  the  decline  was  especially 
significant in the area under apple trees (a decrease of one third).  

Some  other  Member  States  experienced  a  decrease  in  the  total  surveyed  area,  as  well  as  a 
decline for all of the species of fruit tree surveyed. The total area declined quite significantly 
in  France,  Finland,  Sweden  and  the  United  Kingdom  (by  between  15  and  20%),  while  in 
Luxembourg  the  plantations  of  fruit  trees  producing  for  the  market  disappeared  almost 
entirely. In Germany and Ireland, there was only a very small decrease (of less than 1%) in 
the total area. 

EN 

21 

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In  the  remaining  Member  States,  the  total  orchard  area  occupied  by  the  surveyed  species 
decreased,  although  there  was  an  increase  for  some  of  the  species  surveyed.  In  Greece,  for 
example, the area under small citrus fruit trees increased by one third, whereas all the other 
areas decreased. In Italy the total area decreased by 8%. It experienced a slight increase in the 
apple and apricot orchard areas, and declines in the other types of orchard areas. The fall was 
quite large in the areas under small citrus fruit trees (22%), pear trees (17%) and peach trees 
(13%).  Portugal  experienced  a  large  increase  in  the  area  under  lemon  trees,  while  all  other 
areas decreased, some of them substantially (peach and apricot). In Belgium and Netherlands, 
the total area decreased by around 4%, due to the combined effect of the decrease in the apple 
tree orchard area and the increase in the pear tree orchard area. 

Table C: 2007 orchard area by age class as a percentage of 2002 orchard area (EU-15) 

Table C.1: 2007 orchard area by age class as a percentage of 2002 orchard area (EU-15) - 
Apple trees  

Member 
State 

Total 

Less than 
5 years 

Between 5 
and 9 
years 

Between 
10 and 14 
years 

Between 
15 and 24 
years 

25 years 
and over 

EU-15 

Belgium 

Denmark 

Germany 

Ireland 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

Luxembourg 

Netherlands 

Austria 

Portugal 

Finland 

Sweden 

United  

Kingdom 

88.54 

82.84 

91.97

61.73

107.79 

127.31

99.42 

99.17 

89.96 

68.39 

84.28 

94.17

57.77

141.11

51.44

79.08

89.35

98.06

159.62

83.06

104.87

72.60

95.18

66.61

101.73 

146.48

110.29

3.28 

83.93 

103.98 

85.91 

84.69 

82.08 

24.61

63.08

93.31

62.00

93.13

85.99

5.17

122.34

99.25

72.09

117.71

81.58

81.07

70.60

67.87

82.23

67.06

131.37

58.36

72.85

97.85

6.76

68.99

107.48

72.87

80.21

54.59

95.90 

181.52 

110.84 

165.25 

229.81 

78.19 

62.72 

115.86 

78.02 

14.02 

95.89 

129.64 

145.44 

52.67 

171.44 

81.59

204.87

73.98

118.34

186.81

39.43

84.10

98.08

78.78

0.27

70.15

101.37

105.48

88.11

58.52

85.47 

167.69

56.93

97.22

83.31 

59.94

The  breakdown  of  the  orchard  areas  by  the  age  of  the  trees  is  important,  because  a  large 
proportion of “young” trees is an indicator of good prospects for fruit production in the future, 
while a high proportion of relatively “old” trees areas might endanger future production.  

The total EU-15 area under apple trees decreased by more than 10% between 2002 and 2007, 
and the decrease was felt across all age classes.  

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22 

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Between 2002 and 2007, the total apple trees area in Italy increased slightly due to an increase 
in the area of "young" apple tree orchards (i.e. less than 5 years old and between 5 and 9 years 
old). The areas of "old" apple trees orchards in Italy decreased during this period.  

At the same time, the total area of apple tree orchards in France decreased significantly. The 
"young"  apple  tree  areas  showed  a  marked  decrease,  and  the  only  increase  was  in  the  area 
under "old" apple trees (between 15 and 24 years old). This shows that the apple tree orchards 
in France are getting older.  

In  several  Member  States,  only  the  areas  under  "old"  apple  trees  increased  (for  example, 
Belgium, Germany, Austria, Portugal), while in other Member States such as Denmark, Italy, 
Netherlands,  Finland  and  United  Kingdom,  there  was  a  bigger  increase  in  "young"  apple 
orchards. The increase in the planting of "very young" apple trees was particularly significant 
in the United Kingdom (68%). 

Table C.2: 2007 orchard area by age class as a percentage of 2002 orchard area (EU-15) - 
Pear trees  

Member 
State 

Total 

Less than 
5 years 

Between 5 
and 9 
years 

Between 
10 and 14 
years 

Between 
15 and 24 
years 

25 years 
and over 

EU-15 

Belgium 

Denmark 

Germany 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

Luxembourg 

Netherlands 

Austria 

Portugal 

Sweden 

United  

Kingdom 

87.31 

100.17

113.08 

100.22 

93.82 

92.34 

82.56 

74.20 

83.49 

11.84 

120.36 

107.78 

91.97 

70.86 

82.54

100.93

82.92

109.39

106.62

54.84

113.20

44.57

104.14

192.27

82.29

68.44

94.82

95.21

105.92

63.41

72.87

83.50

58.07

107.83

25.58

143.49

62.23

106.18

52.09

66.79

113.05

98.74

121.96

93.21

48.51

42.97

70.47

13.17

139.88

103.62

99.06

78.73

93.01 

160.75 

149.86 

134.19 

95.26 

116.86 

132.73 

71.69 

27.87 

118.73 

99.43 

76.86 

272.64 

92.71

133.78

57.32

89.18

119.32

108.75

74.79

86.87

3.30

104.25

115.02

101.70

57.47

75.27 

114.98

42.18

66.56

94.88 

71.30

The total EU-15 area under pear trees also decreased during the period 2002-2007. The areas 
in  all  age  classes  decreased,  with  the  exception  of  the  area  under  trees  below  5  years  old, 
which remained more or less constant.  

The  largest  growers  of  pear  trees  in  EU-15  are  Italy  (32,075  ha)  and  Spain  (25,845  ha).  In 
both  of  these  Member  States,  the  total  area  under  pear  trees  decreased  by  around  17%, 
although  there  was  some  increase  in  some  of  the  age  classes.  In  Italy,  only  the  area  under 
"old"  pear  tree  orchards  decreased,  while  the  area  under  "young"  trees  increased.  In  Spain, 

EN 

23 

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there was an increase in the area under pear trees less than 5 years old, but also in the area 
under trees older than 15 years.  

The total pear tree orchard area increased only in three Member States: Belgium, Netherlands 
and Austria. It remained more or less the same in Denmark and decreased in all of the other 
Member States.  

In Member States like France, Sweden and United Kingdom, it decreased by more than 20%.  

In some Member States, like Greece, Spain, Netherlands and Austria, there was an increase in 
the  age  categories  of  both  "young"  and  "old"  trees.  In  Member  States  such  as  Italy  or  the 
United  Kingdom,  there  was  an  increase  in  the  area  of  "young"  pear  tree  orchards,  while  in 
Member States like Belgium, France or Germany, the area of "old" orchard areas increased, 
while the area under “young” trees decreased.  

Table C.3: 2007 orchard area by age class as a percentage of 2002 orchard area (EU-15) - 
Peach trees  

Member 
State 

Total 

Less than 
5 years 

Between 5 
and 9 
years 

Between 
10 and 14 
years 

Between 
15 and 19 
years 

20 years 
and over 

EU-15 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

Austria 

Portugal 

94.35 

97.08 

108.12 

72.67 

87.23 

75.52 

66.68 

95.61

128.70

111.74

57.42

83.22

86.79

60.74

111.05

98.64

128.62

86.81

108.81

75.60

74.38

78.45

80.79

91.57

57.58

73.37

41.79

50.80

79.64 

84.42 

78.71 

104.97 

70.10 

108.90 

102.84 

109.81

174.73

121.07

100.73

69.64

110.53

91.26

The total peach trees orchard area in EU-15 decreased slightly between 2002 and 2007. The 
areas  under  very  "old"  trees  (20  years  and  above)  and  under  relatively  "young"  peach  trees 
increased, while the areas under trees in other age classes decreased.  

The largest areas under peach trees are found in Spain (75,118 ha) and Italy (63,753 ha). In 
Spain, the total peach trees orchard area increased by 8%. Both the “young” tree areas (below 
10 years old) and the very "old" peach trees orchard area (20 years old and above) increased, 
while the area of trees in the “middle age” range decreased quite significantly.  

In  Italy,  all  age  class  areas,  except  for  trees  aged  between  5  and  9  years,  experienced  a 
significant  decrease,  and  the  combined  effect  was  a  13%  fall  in  the  total  area  under  peach 
trees.  

In all other Member States, the total area under peach trees decreased. The largest decrease in 
the total area occurred in Portugal, France and Austria.  

With respect to the change in the age distribution, Italy is the only Member States where the 
area  of  relatively  “young”  peach  trees  orchards  (between  5  and  9  years  old)  was  the  only 
category  to  increase.  In  all  the  other  Member  States,  there  was  an  increase  in  both  some 

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24 

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“young" and "old" trees orchard areas, as in Spain and Greece, or the increase was seen only 
in the areas under “old” trees, such as in France, Austria and Portugal.  

Table C.4: 2007 orchard area by age class as a percentage of 2002 orchard area (EU-15) - 
Apricot trees  

Member 
State 

Total 

Less than 
5 years 

Between 5 
and 9 
years 

Between 
10 and 14 
years 

Between 
15 and 19 
years 

20 years 
and over 

EU-15 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

Austria 

Portugal 

89.66 

78.66 

82.69 

92.50 

100.48 

126.43 

57.62 

109.99

68.71

122.16

85.26

133.63

120.19

112.44

101.39

88.82

82.90

88.87

128.51

150.18

95.19

69.89

95.49

77.71

61.32

62.13

104.28

64.51

104.10 

60.05 

114.04 

153.71 

74.55 

193.65 

128.68 

76.34

74.45

59.00

114.73

105.06

107.15

20.27

Between  2002  and  2007,  the  EU-15  area  cultivated  with  apricot  trees  decreased  by  10%. 
There was a strong decrease in the areas of "middle-aged" (between 10 and 14 years old) and 
very  "old"  (20  years  and  above)  apricot  trees,  while  the  areas  with  orchards  of  young  trees 
(below 10 years old) increased, although to a lesser extent.  

The largest area of apricot orchards is found in Spain (18,700 ha), followed by Italy (15, 649 
ha).  The  total  area  in  Spain  decreased,  although  there  was  a  relatively  large  increase  in  the 
areas under trees below 5 years old and between 15 and 19 years old.  

In Italy the total area stayed almost constant, but there was a substantial increase in the area 
under young apricot trees (less than 10 years old).  

Of the remaining Member States, only Austria experienced an increase in the total areas under 
apricot  trees  orchards,  and  this  increase  was  seen  in  all  age  classes.  In  France,  the  areas  of 
"old"  trees  (i.e.  at  least  15  years  old)  increased,  while  the  rest  of  the  age  class  areas  saw  a 
significant  decrease.  In  Greece,  the  areas  under  trees  of  all  age  classes  decreased.  Portugal 
experienced  the  largest  decrease  (more  than  40%)  in  the  total  area  under  apricot  trees,  but 
during the same period young plantations also saw a small increase.  

EN 

25 

   EN 

 
 
Table C.5: 2007 orchard area by age class as a percentage of 2002 orchard area (EU-15) - 
Orange trees  

Member 
State 

Total 

Less 
than 5 
years 

Between 
5 and 9 
years 

Between 
10 and 
14 years 

Between 
15 and 
24 years 

Between 
25 and 
39 years 

40 years 
and over 

EU-15 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

110.07 

117.95 

122.06

98.22 

359.34 

52.58

90.90

76.71

106.05

123.21 

102.47

147.70

69.48 

120.84 

121.59 

130.79

107.95

112.78

155.83 

93.05

87.42

-

98.58 

97.03 

- 

-

206.10

22.40 

86.22 

109.74

125.98 

108.11

43.89

79.63

61.84

96.23

Portugal 

107.20 

49.21 

109.70

116.08

141.74 

144.13

Orange  trees  were  the  only  fruit  tree  area  in  the  EU-15  that  recorded  an  increase  between 
2002 and 2007. The increase was in both the "young" and the "old" orange tree areas.  

The largest orange tree orchard areas are in Spain (158,824 ha) and Italy (73,786 ha).  

In Spain, there was an increase in the areas for all age classes, except for "40 years and over"; 
the total orange tree orchard areas also increased. This is a sign of good production potential 
for  the  years  to  come.  During  the  last  5  years  the  increase  was  smaller  than  during  the 
previous 5 years (age class 5 to 10 years old), which shows that new planting of orange trees 
in this Member State is progressing less rapidly. 

In Italy, the total area cultivated with orange trees decreased, although there was an increase 
in the area of "old" trees (above 25 years old) and in the area of trees between 5 and 9 years 
old. 

In Greece, the total area decreased, but there was a strong increase in the area of trees younger 
than 5 years old, which shows a renewal of the orange tree plantations of this Member State.  

Portugal experienced an increase in the total area, mainly due to the increase of “old” orange 
tree areas.  

Table C.6: 2007 orchard area by age class as a percentage of 2002 orchard area (EU-15) - 
Lemon trees  

Member 
State 

Total 

Less 
than 5 
years 

Between 
5 and 9 
years 

Between 
10 and 
14 years 

Between 
15 and 
24 years 

Between 
25 and 
39 years 

40 years 
and over 

EU-15 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

91.41 

56.01 

185.77

131.72

83.98 

364.48 

133.03

118.17

48.95 

219.36

177.34

90.90 

61.62 

- 

-

94.40 

104.16 

80.41

30.89

28.79

83.98

69.14

94.13

66.44

62.17

67.67

85.74

98.76 

51.70 

93.30

61.57

92.26 

116.23

89.65 

-

124.46 

96.03

249.63 

133.04

Portugal 

138.39 

135.73 

165.40

EN 

26 

   EN 

 
 
 
The total area under lemon trees in EU-15 decreased by around 9% between 2002 and 2007. 
As  in  the  case  of  orange  trees,  the  largest  European  growers  of  lemon  trees  are  Spain  and 
Italy, with total areas of 39,859 ha and 16,634 ha respectively.  

In both Member States, the total area decreased. However, in Italy there was a slight increase 
in  the  area  of  trees  under  5  years  old,  while  in  Spain  the  area  of  “young”  tree  orchards 
decreased by more than 50%.  

Greece experienced a decrease in the total area, whereas the orchard areas for “young” trees 
increased substantially.  

Portugal is the only Member State where there was an increase in the total area under lemon 
trees.  

Table C.7: 2007 orchard area by age class as a percentage of 2002 orchard area (EU-15) - 
Small citrus fruit  

Member 
State 

Total 

Less 
than 5 
years 

Between 
5 and 9 
years 

Between 
10 and 
14 years 

Between 
15 and 
24 years 

Between 
25 and 
39 years 

40 years 
and over 

EU-15 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

Portugal 

100.11 

53.85 

134.92

129.44

105.29

96.20 

133.21 

266.10 

231.35

82.49

138.73

184.92 

105.05 

50.56 

145.26

154.44

120.00

86.04 

71.33

53.96

47.36

95.89 

77.53 

83.84 

44.61 

93.45 

66.53 

81.43

59.99

44.70

57.91

64.30

50.07

163.82

81.68 

678.59

63.46

100.25 

83.37

111.08

138.11 

311.11

The  total  EU-15  area  cultivated  with  small  citrus  fruit  trees  remained  more  or  less  constant 
between 2002 and 2007 (an increase of only 0.11%). The areas of "old" trees (25 years old or 
above)  and  "very  young"  trees  (below  5  years  old)  decreased,  but  this  was  offset  by  an 
increase in the areas of trees in the age classes between 5 and 25 years old.  

The largest orchard areas of these fruits are found in Spain (39,859 ha) and Italy (16,633 ha). 
The  total  area  in  Spain  increased  by  5%.  The  age  classes  between  5  and  25  years  old  are 
increasing in Spain, whereas the area under trees younger than 5 years old has fallen by half.  

In Italy, the total area decreased by almost 25%, and the decrease was marked across almost 
all age classes.  

The total area in Greece increased by one third, and the increase was particularly marked in 
the areas under trees that are younger than 10 years old.  

The  other  Member  States  experienced  a  decrease  in  the  total  area  and  the  "ageing"  of  their 
small citrus fruit tree plantations (a decrease in the area of “young” trees and an increase in 
the area of “old” trees). 

EN 

27 

   EN 

 
 
Table D: 2007 orchard area by density class as a percentage of 2002 orchard area (EU-
15) 

Table D.1: 2007 orchard area by density class as a percentage  of 2002  orchard area  (EU-
15)-Apple trees  

Member 
State 

Total 

<400 

400 
and 
<799 

>800 
and 
<1,599 

>1,600 
and 
<2,399 

>2,400 
and 
<3,199 

>3,200 
and 
<3,999 

>4,000 

EU-15 

Belgium 

Denmark 

Germany 

Ireland 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

88.54 

53.33 

112.75

82.84 

5.55 

107.79 

85.72 

99.42 

79.20 

99.17 

134.18 

40.38

75.52

68.84

53.23

85.36

76.86

75.61

104.95 

126.60 

112.19

83.53

93.30 

61.85 

168.30

64.09

105.87

277.36  1519.64 

225.89

75.79

95.81

130.20 

139.32 

82.05

89.96 

44.92 

76.59

2044.33 - 

- 

81.30

270.20

18.01 

- 

- 

- 

- 

68.39 

22.47 

39.58

84.28 

341.63 

446.14

101.73 

71.70 

63.96

69.17

86.60

75.66

98.26

140.53 

5.61 

23.92

14.18 

29.76 

5.16

0.00

98.87

123.95 

180.03 

158.13

Luxembourg  

3.28 

0.00 

- 

12.14 - 

- 

- 

- 

Netherlands 

83.93 

0.00 

342.46

197.71

73.31

83.55 

90.15 

63.35

Austria 

Portugal 

Finland 

Sweden 

United 
Kingdom 

103.98 

54.56 

85.91 

81.16 

58.49

61.03

63.98

73.75

125.75 

139.62 

122.42

77.55

128.76

159.76 

50.10  1570.83

84.69 

83.13 

43.85

229.49

90.10 - 

- 

- 

82.08 

40.35 

83.46

89.31

91.18

223.70 

110.72 

73.97

85.47 

34.24 

55.96

161.73

89.56

133.30 

51.78 

34.69

In  EU-15,  there  was  an  increase  in  the  areas  of  high  density  for  apple  trees  (above  2,400 
trees/ha), while the areas in most of the other density classes decreased.  

In Italy, which is the largest apple tree grower in EU-15, there was a considerable increase in 
the more densely cultivated areas (above 2,400 trees/ha).  

France, on the other hand, experienced a large increase in the less dense orchard areas (below 
800 trees/ha), and a very large decrease in the relatively dense orchard areas.  

In Germany and Spain (respectively the third and fourth largest growers of apple trees in EU-
15), there was some increase in the more dense areas and a decrease in the areas of lower tree 
density.  

In  most  of  the  other  Member  States,  there  was  an  increase  in  the  high  density  areas  and  a 
decrease  in  the  rest  of  the  density  classes.  The  exceptions  are  the  Netherlands,  where  the 
increase  was  in  the  relatively  low  density  classes  (between  400  and  1,599  trees/ha),  and 
Ireland,  where  the  increase  was  in  the  low  density  and  some  medium  density  class  orchard 
areas. 

EN 

28 

   EN 

 
 
Table D.2: 2007 orchard area by density class as a percentage  of 2002  orchard area  (EU-
15)-Pear trees  

Total 

<400 

400 
and 
<799 

>800 
and 
<1,599 

>1,600 
and 
<2,399 

>2,400 
and 
<3,199 

>3,200 
and 
<3,999 

>4 000  

87.31 

73.50 

91.47

77.01

96.17

125.25 

138.50 

174.24

113.08 

20.72 

56.28

105.97

115.98

205.40 

93.46 

348.23

100.22 

60.55 

49.15

80.70

205.78

199.06 

104.34  2760.00

93.82 

63.32 

103.32

82.61

112.20

132.96 

117.62 

81.83

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

92.34 

62.02 

53.88

4384.51 - 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

82.56 

52.48 

69.33

74.20 

935.10 

554.02

79.39

39.13

99.41

123.00 

28.25 

25.49

12.86

24.80 

29.92 

- 

83.49 

126.19 

68.65

69.21

100.85

124.31 

268.82 

235.24

EU-15 

Belgium 

Denmark 

Germany 

Ireland 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Italy 

Luxembourg  

11.84 

1.29 

- 

61.52 - 

- 

- 

- 

Netherlands 

120.36 

41.14 

185.70

111.93

104.70

144.11 

156.03 

125.72

Austria 

Portugal 

Finland 

Sweden 

United 
Kingdom 

107.78 

65.11 

77.90

139.27

110.25

121.20 

83.26 

91.97 

82.06 

68.07

92.19

145.40

236.55 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

57.99

31.55

- 

70.86 

34.74 

70.25

88.01

61.87

231.77 

131.88 

98.88

75.27 

21.53 

95.20

100.97

63.23

42.65 

61.16 

63.29

Between  2002  and  2007,  there  was  a  significant  increase  in  the  relatively  dense  pear  tree 
orchard area (above 2,400 trees/ha) in EU-15. In these Member States the trend towards the 
intensification of the new plantations has continued during the last 5 years. 

In  Italy,  there  was  a  decrease  in  the  middle-range  density  areas  (between  400  and  1,600 
trees/ha), and an increase in all other density classes.  

Spain  noted  an  increase  in  the  orchard  areas  with  a  density  of  between  2,400  and  3,199 
trees/ha and a decrease in all the other density classes.  

In Portugal (which has the third largest area of pear tree orchards in EU-15), there was a large 
increase  in  medium  density  orchard  areas  (between  1,600  and  3,199  trees/ha),  and  a 
significant decline in most of the other density areas.  

In the Netherlands, orchard areas increased in all density classes except the lowest. 

The  experience  of  the  other  Member  States  is  variable,  with  increases  in  the  more  densely 
planted  areas  and  decreases  in  the  less  dense  areas,  such  as  Belgium  or  Denmark,  or  vice 
versa, as in France. 

EN 

29 

   EN 

 
 
 
Table D.3: 2007 orchard area by density class as a percentage  of 2002  orchard area  (EU-
15)-Peach trees  

Member 
State 

Total 

<300 

EU-15 

94.35 

91.83 

Greece 

97.08 

139.55 

300 
and 
<599 

86.54

94.14

>600 
and 
<899 

>900 
and 
<1,199 

>1,200 
and 
<1,499 

>1,500  

99.76

90.67

164.40

104.31 

87.59

167.89

824.08

Spain 

108.12 

52.07 

104.22

118.17

95.53

174.24

France 

72.67 

50.35 

76.82

Italy 

87.23 

134.10 

Austria 

75.52 

154.59 

Portugal 

66.68 

134.45 

70.09

61.94

58.51

71.27

88.20

59.76

53.86

92.25

170.05

190.87 

80.75

119.79

105.14

106.81 

69.51

61.34

72.22

41.02 

- 

49.04 

87.17 

In EU-15, there was an increase in the peach tree orchard areas with a density of more than 
1,200  trees/ha,  and  a  decrease  in  the  orchard  areas  of  lower  density.  Most  Member  States 
experienced some increase in both the relatively dense orchards and the less dense peach tree 
orchard  areas,  and  a  decrease  in  some  middle-density  classes.  The  only  exception  to  this 
pattern is France, where all density areas decreased, some of them substantially. 

Table D.4: 2007 orchard area by density class as a percentage  of 2002  orchard area  (EU-
15)-Apricot trees  

Member 
State 

Total 

<300 

300 
and 
<599 

>600 
and 
<899 

>900 
and 
<1,199 

>1,200 
and 
<1,499 

>1,500 

EU-15 

89.66 

78.15 

96.44

80.72

89.19

205.92

128.02 

Greece 

78.66 

70.12 

74.68

209.14

3198.15 - 

- 

Spain 

82.69 

70.85 

118.41

50.94

77.73

412.07 - 

France 

92.50 

64.60 

94.42

86.81

195.60

69.32

Italy 

100.48 

174.47 

92.75

101.78

71.57

168.75

37.84 

97.56 

Austria 

126.43 

97.92 

115.71

111.49

227.53

212.44

137.80 

Portugal 

57.62 

115.54 

67.62

30.45

300.38

371.01

75.00 

In  EU-15  as  a  whole,  the  only  increase  was  in  the  apricot  trees  orchard  areas  of  a  density 
above  1,200  trees/ha.  As  with  other  species,  this  points  to  the  substitution  of  less  dense 
plantations by intensive new plantations. 

The pattern of change is mixed in most of the Member States, with increases and decreases in 
both  high  density  and  low  density  orchard  areas.  A  notable  exception  is  Austria,  where 
orchard areas of all density classes increased, except for those with the lowest density (fewer 
than 300 trees/ha). 

EN 

30 

   EN 

 
 
 
Table D.5: 2007 orchard area by density class as a percentage  of 2002  orchard area  (EU-
15)-Orange trees  

Member 
State 

Total 

<250 

250 and 
<499 

>500 
and 
<749 

>750 
and 
<999 

>1,000 
and 
<1,499

>1,500 
and 
<1,999 

>2,000 
and 
<2,499 

>2,500 
and 
<2,999 

>3,000

EU-15 

110.07

332.32

107.49

117.70

93.55

45.79

29.31

4.54

59.71

8.78

Greece 

98.22

200.90

95.03

92.18

81.86

445.54

-

-

-

-

120.84

397.36

129.90

126.28

94.23

30.41

27.29

4.41

61.51

6.02

98.58

-

57.06

471.72

-

-

-

-

97.031858.72 

92.04

107.44

70.71

202.78

38.16

5.64

Portugal 

107.20

290.62

84.61

112.05

142.81

119.18

13.27

-

-

-

-

-

28.05

-

Spain 

France 

Italy 

Between 2002 and 2007 the total area under orange trees in EU-15 increased; this was due to 
an increase in the low density orchard areas (below 749 trees/ha).  

Spain had the same pattern of change as the total EU-15 area. This is easily explained by the 
fact that Spain accounts for more than half of the EU-15 area under orange trees.  

In  the  other  Member  States  where  orange  tree  orchards  are  surveyed,  the  increases  in  area 
tended  to  be  in  the  low  and  middle  density  orchards,  while  the  high  density  orchard  areas 
were seen to decrease. 

For  this  specie  the  "intensive"  pattern  with  high  density  plantations  does  not  seem  to  be 
economically sustainable. 

Table D.6: 2007 orchard area by density class as a percentage  of 2002  orchard area  (EU-
15)-Lemon trees  

Member 
State 

Total 

<250 

250 and 
<499 

>500 
and 
<749 

>750 
and 
<999 

>1,000 
and 
<1,499 

>1,500 
and 
<1,999 

>2,000 
and 
<2,499 

>2,500 
and 
<2,999 

EU-15 

91.41

89.47 

99.98

74.06

20.86

139.25

174.52

522.81

Greece 

83.98

155.78 

71.75

89.83

100.71 3528.57

Spain 

90.90

77.94 

96.74

110.59

3.10

69.00

France 

61.62

- 

43.48

330.72

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Italy 

94.40

629.56  126.91

56.69

66.64

190.03

174.91

903.03

Portugal 

138.39

538.17  113.10

120.74

154.93

195.19

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

>3,000 

20.38

-

-

-

21.37

- 

EU-15 as a whole experienced a large increase in orchard areas of middle density (between 
1,000 and 2,499 trees/ha) for lemon trees. In some of the other density classes, the decrease 
was very marked (for example, an 80% decrease in the 750-999 trees/ha density class).  

In Spain, only the area of density between 500 and 749 trees/ha increased, while the areas of 
other densities decreased.  

EN 

31 

   EN 

 
 
 
In Italy and Greece, some high density and low density orchard areas increased, whereas the 
orchard areas of intermediate density decreased.  

Portugal is the only Member State where there was an increase in the areas of all densities, 
especially the very low density class. 

Table D.7: 2007 orchard area by density class as  a percentage of 2002 orchard area (EU-
15)-Small citrus fruit  

Member 
State 

Total 

<250 

250 and 
<499 

>500 
and 
<749 

>750 
and 
<999 

>1,000 
and 
<1,499 

>1,500 
and 
<1,999 

>2,000 
and 
<2,499 

>2,500 
and 
<2,999 

>3,000 

EU-15 

100.11

658.04  121.56

101.91

98.82

53.47

27.68

39.39

34.82

151.25

Greece 

133.21

401.24  135.22

122.39

38.19

188.93

-

-

-

-

Spain 

105.05

981.43  188.14

106.30

100.27

51.61

28.34

38.77

33.81

148.36

France 

95.89

22.67  104.22

85.57

13.28

-

-

Italy 

77.53

656.84 

80.74

63.10

62.97

105.84

14.97

-

-

-

-

76.70

191.38

Portugal 

83.84

270.13 

53.51

93.18

147.10

224.65

56.64

738.78

42.73

-

In EU-15, the total area of small citrus fruit trees orchards remained almost constant between 
2002  and  2007,  but  its  distribution  according  to  the  density  of  the  trees  underwent  a  major 
transformation.  There  was  an  increase  in  the  very  high  density  orchard  areas  (above  3,000 
trees/ha)  and  in  the  low  density  orchard  areas  (below  749  trees/ha).  The  increase  was 
particularly pronounced in the area of density below 250 trees/ha, which increased by more 
than  six  times.  The  areas  of  orchards  in  other  density  classes  decreased,  most  of  them 
significantly.  

Spain followed the same pattern of change as the EU-15, given that around three quarters of 
the EU-15 area of small citrus fruit trees orchards belongs to Spain.  

Italy experienced a significant increase in the very  low and  very high density orchard areas 
(below  250  and  above  3,000  trees/ha),  and  large  decreases  in  most  of  the  middle-density 
orchard areas.  

In  Greece,  there  was  a  large  increase  in  the low  density  orchard  areas  (below  749  trees/ha) 
and in the areas of density between 1,000 and 1,499 trees/ha. 

EN 

32 

   EN 

 
 
Table E.1.a: The EU-15 apple tree orchard by variety. 2002and 2007  

Variety 

2002 area 

Variety 

2007 area

Variety 

2007 area 
as a % of 
2002 area

All varieties (EU-15) 

226,558  All varieties (EU-15) 

200,589 All varieties (EU-15) 

88.54

1.Golden Delicious& 

1.Golden Delicious& 

1.Golden Delicious& 

Golden Spur 

66,040 

Golden Spur 

52,548

Golden Spur 

2.Groupe Gala 

23,420  2.Groupe Gala 

23,138 2.Groupe Gala 

3.Red Delicious$ 

3.Red Delicious$ 

3.Red Delicious$ 

Starking Delicious 

15,729 

Starking Delicious 

15,328

Starking Delicious 

4.Jonagold 

5.Elstar 

14,377  4.Elstar 

12,106 4.Elstar 

12,552  5.Jonagold 

10,532 5.Jonagold 

79.57

98.79

97.45

96.45

73.25

Table E.1.b: The most important table apple varieties in EU-15 and EU-27 in 2007 

Variety 

EU-15 
area 

% 

Variety 

All varieties 

200,589  100.00% All varieties 

EU-27 
area 

% 

485,044 100.00%

1.Golden Delicious& 
Golden Spur 

52,548  26.20% 

1.Golden Delicious& Golden Spur 

61,659

12.71%

2.Groupe Gala 

23,138  11.53% 

2.Idared 

47,209

9.73%

3.Red Delicious& 
Starking Delicious 

15,328  7.64% 

3.Jonagold 

4.Elstar 

12,106  6.04% 

4.Groupe Gala 

5.Jonagold 

10,532  5.25% 

5.Red Delicious& Starking 
Delicious 

32,076

6.61%

27,812

5.73%

18,433

3.80%

Table  E.1.a  shows  the  trend  in  the  main  apple  tree  varieties  in  EU-15.  The  most  common 
varieties are Golden Delicious and Golden Spur, which represent approximately 26% of the 
total  EU-15  table  apple  orchard  areas,  followed  by  Group  Gala  (12%),  Red  Delicious  and 
Starking Delicious (8%), Jonagold (6%) and Elstar (5%). Between 2002 and 2007, the areas 
cultivated with all these varieties decreased, but they kept the same ranking according to their 
area. The exceptions were Jonagold and Elstar, which swapped places. 

After  the  2004  and  2007  enlargements,  the  order  of  importance  of  the  different  varieties 
changed  (see  Table  E1b).  The  Golden  Delicious  and  Golden  Spur  variety  is  still  the  most 
cultivated, but now accounts for only 13% of the total table apple area. The second variety is 
now  Idared,  with  10%  of  the  area.  The  next  three  varieties  in  EU-27  are  Jonagold  (7%), 
Group Gala (6%) and Red Delicious and Starking Delicious (4%). 

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Table E.2.a: The EU-15 pear trees orchard by variety. 2002and 2007  

Variety 

2002 area  Variety 

2007 area Variety 

All varieties (EU-15) 

109,250 

All varieties (EU-
15) 

95,391

All varieties (EU-
15) 

1.Conference 

2.Abate Fetel 

3.William's 

4.Blanquilla 

5.Rocha 

26,240  1.Conference 

26,929 1.Conference 

12,399  2.Abate Fetel 

12,531 2.Abate Fetel 

11,000  3.William's 

9,496 3.William's 

10,671  4.Rocha 

8,728 4.Rocha 

9,263  5.Blanquilla 

5,783 5.Blanquilla 

2007 area 
as a % of 
2002 area 

87.31

102.63

101.07

86.33

94.23

54.19

Table E.2.b: The most important table pear tree varieties in EU-15 and EU-27 in 2007 

Variety 

EU-15 
area 

% 

Variety 

EU-27 area 

% 

All varieties (EU-15) 

95,391  100.00% All varieties  

111,878 

100.00%

1.Conference 

2.Abate Fetel 

3.William's 

4.Rocha 

5.Blanquilla 

26,929 

28.23% 1.Conference 

12,531 

13.14% 2.Abate Fetel 

9,496 

9.95% 3.William's 

8,728 

9.15% 4.Rocha 

5,783 

6.06% 5.Blanquilla 

29,178 

12,568 

10,332 

8,728 

5,783 

26.08%

11.23%

9.24%

7.80%

5.17%

The main varieties of table pear tree in EU-15 were the same in 2002 and 2007. There was an 
increase in the area under the Conference and Abate Fetel varieties during this period. These 
two varieties account for 28% and 13% respectively of the table pear orchards in EU-15. The 
next three varieties are William's (10%), Rocha (9%), and Blanquilla (6%), and the area under 
all of these varieties decreased in the period between the two surveys. The huge decrease for 
Blanquilla, which was much greater than for Rocha, has meant that the former is now only the 
fourth most important variety of pear tree plantation in EU-15. 

In EU-27, the main pear varieties are the same as in EU-15, but generally the EU-27 area that 
is cultivated with each variety accounts for a lower share of the total area under pear trees. For 
example, the Conference variety represents 28% of the EU-15 pear tree orchard area, and only 
26% of the total area for EU-27. Abate Fetel covers 13% of the total EU-15 area, and only 
11% of the total EU-27 area under table pear trees. The ranking order of the most important 
varieties is still the same. This shows that successive enlargements have not altered the pattern 
of distribution of the different varieties. 

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Table E.3.a: The EU-15 peach trees orchard by groups of varieties. 2002and 2007  

Variety 

All varieties 

2002 area  Variety 

2007 
area 

Variety 

201,325  All varieties 

189,942 All varieties 

Nectarines (yellow 
flesh) 

27,257 

Nectarines (yellow 
flesh) 

21,192

Nectarines (yellow 
flesh) 

Group Cresthaven 

18,154  Group Cresthaven 

17,333 Group Cresthaven 

Group 
Pavie/Percoche 

17,409 

Group 
Pavie/Percoche 

16,299

Group 
Pavie/Percoche 

Group Springcrest  

16,149  Group Springcrest  

11,858 Group Springcrest  

Group Stark Red 
gold  

13,479 

Group Stark Red 
gold  

10,925

Group Stark Red 
gold  

2007 area 
as a % of 
2002 area  

94.35

77.75

95.48

93.63

73.43

81.05

Table E.3.b: The most important peach tree groups of varieties in EU-15 and EU-27 in 
2007 

Variety 

EU-15 

% 

Variety 

EU-27 

% 

All varieties 

189,942 

100.00% All varieties 

206,958 

100.00%

Nectarines yellow 

211,922 

11.16% Nectarines yellow 

21,700 

10.49%

Group Cresthaven 

17,333 

9.13% Group Cresthaven 

18,468 

8.92%

Group 
Pavie/Percoche 

16,299 

8.58%

Group 
Pavie/Percoche 

Group Springcrest 

11,858 

6.24% Group Springcrest 

Group Stark Red 
gold 

10,925 

5.75%

Group Stark Red 
gold 

17,003 

11,965 

8.22%

5.78%

11,092 

5.36%

For peach tree orchards, the analysis is conducted for groups of varieties, as each individual 
variety covers only a very small share of the total EU area. The most cultivated varieties of 
peach  trees  in  EU-15  were  the  same  in  2002  and  2007,  but  their  share  of  the  total  has 
decreased.  The  decline  was  significant  for  the  Springcrest  group  (27%),  yellow  flesh 
nectarines (13%) and the Stark Red Gold group (29%). 

The main groups of varieties are the same in both EU-15 and EU-27, but they account for a 
slightly smaller share of the EU-27 total than of the EU-15 total. As the new Member States 
have only 8% of the total EU-27 peach tree orchard area, the difference in percentage terms is 
quite small. 

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Table E.4.a: The EU-15 apricot trees orchard by variety. 2002and 2007 

Variety 

All varieties 

1.Bulida 

2.Bergeron 

3.Bebecou 

4.Precoce de 
Tyrinthe 

5.Polonais 

2002 area  Variety 

2007 area Variety 

59,069  All varieties 

52,959 All varieties 

11,522  1.Bulida 

7,923 1.Bulida 

4,930  2.Bergeron 

4,474 2.Bergeron 

3,864  3.Bebecou 

2,893 3.Bebecou 

2007 area as 
a % of 2002 
area  

89.66

68.77

90.74

74.87

2,510  4.Galta Rocha 

2,315 4.Galta Rocha 

122.16

2,047 

5.Precoce de 
Tyrinthe 

1,759

5.Precoce de 
Tyrinthe 

70.09

Table E.4.b: The most important apricot tree varieties in EU-15 and EU-27 in 2007 

Variety 

EU-15 
area 

% 

Variety 

EU-27 area 

% 

All varieties 

1.Bulida 

2.Bergeron 

3.Bebecou 

4.Galta Rocha 

5.Precoce de 
Tyrinthe 

52,959 

100.00%

All varieties of 
apricots 

7,923 

14.96% 1.Bulida 

4,474 

2,893 

2,315 

8.45% 2.Bergeron 

5.46% 3.Bebecou 

4.37% 4.Galta Rocha 

1,759 

3.32%

5.Precoce de 
Tyrinthe 

67,370 

100.00%

7,923 

5,106 

2,893 

2,315 

11.76%

7.58%

4.29%

3.44%

1,760 

2.61%

In both 2002 and 2007 the three most important apricot varieties in EU-15 were Bulida (15% 
of the area), Bergeron (8%) and Bebecou (5%).  

All of these varieties saw significant decreases in terms of cultivated area.  

The variety Precoce de Tyrinthe was the fourth most important in 2002, but the 30% decline 
in terms of its area placed it in fifth position in 2007, with only 3% of the area.  

The Polonais variety also decreased in importance, while the Galta Rocha variety experienced 
a significant increase in cultivated area. It became the fourth most important variety, covering 
4% of the EU-15 area under apricot trees. 

The  most  cultivated  apricot  tree  varieties  in  EU-27  are  the  same  as  in  EU-15.  Most  of  the 
areas  did  not  change  in  absolute  value  with  enlargement.  This  is  because,  although  the 
varieties cultivated in the new Member States are generally different, their share of the total 
apricot area has obviously decreased. This is the case for Bulida, Bebecou, Galta Rocha and 
Precoce de Tyrinthe.  

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Only the area cultivated with the Bergeron variety increased as a result of the enlargement to 
EU-27, although its share of the total area fell by almost 1 percentage point. 

Table E.5.a: The EU-15 orange tree orchard by variety. 2002and 2007 

Variety 

2002  Variety 

2007 Variety 

2007 area as 
a % of 2002 
area  

All orange varieties 

252,117  All orange varieties 

277,494 All orange varieties 

110.07

1.Sweet, Navels 
Group, Navelina or 
Dalmau 

2.Sweet, Navels 
Group, Merlin or 
Washinton Navel 

1.Sweet, Navels 
Group, Navelina or 
Dalmau 

69,081 

1.Sweet, Navels  

Group, Navelina  

74,433

Or Dalmau 

107.75

34,125 

2.Sweet, Valencia 
Late 

31,884

2.Sweet, Valencia 
Late 

101.88

3.Sweet, Valencia 
Late 

31,294 

3.Sweet, Navels 
Group, Lane Late 

3.Sweet,  

Navels Group,  

30,321

Lane Late 

183.86

4.Blood, Tarocco 

24,554 

4.Sweet, Navels 
Group, Merlin or 
Washinton Navel 

4.Sweet, Navels 
Group, Merlin or 

28,185

Washinton Navel 

5.Sweet, Navels 
Group, Lane Late 

16,492  5.Blood, Tarocco 

22,243 5.Blood, Tarocco 

82.59

90.59

Table E.5.b: The most important orange tree varieties in EU-15 in 2007 

Variety 

All orange varieties 

Area 

% 

277,494

100.00%

Sweet, Navels Group, Navelina or Dalmau 

74,433

26.82%

Sweet, Valencia Late 

Sweet, Navels Group, Lane Late 

Sweet, Navels Group, Merlin or Washinton 
Navel 

Blood, Tarocco 

31,884

11.49%

30,321

10.93%

28,185

10.16%

22,243

8.02%

The most common variety of oranges in EU-15 is the Navelina or Dalmau, which accounts for 
approximately  27%  of  the  area  under  oranges.  Between  2002  and  2007,  the  area  cultivated 
with this variety increased by almost 8%.  

The Merlin or Washington Navel variety was the second most cultivated variety in 2002, but 
dropped to fourth place in 2007, when its area decreased by 17%. It accounts for 10% of the 
orange area in EU-15.  

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The Valencia Late variety covers 11% of the area and it experienced a slight increase in area 
between  2002  and  2007.  In  2002,  it  was  the  third  most  cultivated  variety  and  in  2007  it 
became the second most important.  

The Lane Late variety saw a large increase in area (84%), to become the third most cultivated 
variety. It accounts for around 11% of the orange orchard area.  

The area cultivated with the Tarocco variety shrank by almost 10%, and in 2007 it accounted 
for 8% of the total area. 

The  report  does  not  show  a  comparison  between  the  EU-15  and  EU-27  citrus  trees  areas. 
Cyprus, the only New Member State that has citrus fruit orchards, has only around 1% of the 
corresponding  EU-27  area;  therefore  the  difference  between  EU-15  and  EU-27  citrus  tree 
areas is very small. 

Table E.6.a: The EU-15 lemon tree orchard by variety. 2002and 2007 

Variety 

2002  Variety 

2007 Variety 

All lemon varieties 

68,034  All lemon varieties 

62,190 All lemon varieties 

1.Group Mesero 

21,976  1.Group Mesero 

22,252 1.Group Mesero 

2.Group Berna 

17,838  2.Group Berna 

12,998 2.Group Berna 

3.Comune 

4.Maglini 

9,265  3.Comune 

8,496 3.Comune 

3,613  4.Maglini 

2,285 4.Maglini 

5.Monachello 

2,442  5.Siagara bianca 

1,712 5.Siagara bianca 

2007 area as 
a % of 2002 
area  

91.41

101.25

72.86

91.69

63.24

84.26

Table E.6.b: The most important lemon tree varieties in EU-15 in 2007 

Variety 

Area 

% 

All lemon varieties 

62,190  100.00%

Group Mesero 

22,252 

35.78%

Group Berna 

12,998 

20.90%

Comune 

Maglini 

Siagara bianca 

8,496 

13.66%

2,285 

1,712 

3.67%

2.75%

The main varieties of lemon trees in 2007 were the same as in 2002. The Group Mesero is the 
most cultivated; it accounts for 36% of the lemon tree area and is the only one among the top 
five whose total area increased.  

The next most popular varieties are Group Berna (21%), Comune (14%), Maglini (4%) and 
Siagara Bianca (3%). The areas under all these four varieties decreased in the period 2002 -
2007. 

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Table E.7.a: The EU-15 small citrus fruit tree orchard by variety. 2002and 2007 

Variety 

All Small-fruited 
citrus varieties 

2002  Variety 

2007 Variety 

149,576 

All Small-fruited 
citrus varieties 

149,744

All Small-fruited 
citrus varieties 

Clementines, 
Clémenules or 
Clémentine de Nules 

Clementines, 
Clémenules or 
Clémentine de 
Nules 

37,477 

Clementines, 
Clémenules or 
Clémentine de 
Nules 

47,687

Clementines, 
Comune 

18,227 

Clementines, 
Comune 

15,894

Clementines, 
Comune 

Clementines, Marisol 

9,545 

Clementines, 
Clemenvilla o nova 

Clementines, 
Clemenvilla o nova 

Clementines, 
Hernandina 

8,137 

7,204 

Clementines, 
Marisol 

Clementines, 
Hernandina 

8,072

7,272

6,442

Clementines, 
Clemenvilla o nova 

Clementines, 
Marisol 

Clementines, 
Hernandina 

2007 area as 
a % of 2002 
area  

100.11

127.24

87.20

99.19

76.19

89.42

Table E.7.b: The most important small citrus fruit tree varieties in EU-15 in 2007 

Variety 

Area 

% 

All small citrus fruit varieties 

149,744

100.00%

Clementines, Clémenules or 
Clémentine de Nules 

Clementines, Comune 

Clementines, Clemenvilla o nova 

Clementines, Marisol 

Clementines, Hernandina 

47,687

31.85%

15,894

10.61%

8,072

7,272

6,442

5.39%

4.86%

4.30%

The first variety of small citrus fruit trees is the Clémenules or Clémentine de Nules. It covers 
32% of the total EU-15 small citrus fruit trees area, following a considerable increase in area 
between 2002 and 2007.  

The second most popular variety is the Clementine Comune. Its area decreased in the period 
between the two surveys and its share of the total fell from 12% to under 11%.  

The Clementine Marisol variety experienced a 25% decrease in cultivated area, dropping from 
third to fourth most cultivated variety. It accounts for around 5% of the total area. 

The  area  under  Clemenvilla  o  nova  was  the  fourth  most  important  variety  in  2002.  It  too 
covers around 5% of the total area. Although the area decreased slightly in the period between 
the two surveys, it was the third most cultivated variety in 2007.  

The fifth variety in both 2002 and 2007 was the Clementine Hernandina, which accounts for 
4% of the total area of the orchards for small citrus fruit trees. 

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