CROATIAN FRESH PRODUCE MARKET REPORT

The main production regions are located in the Resen/Prespa and Polog regions, with newer orchards expanding in areas of south-eastern Macedonia (Valandovo). The total Macedonian apple production in 2010 was 121,000 tonnes, with over 80% produced in the Resen/Prespa region. The most important apple varieties grown in the Resen/Prespa region are Idared (65%), Golden Delicious (15%), Red Delicious (10%), Granny Smith (5%), and 10% others. The Resen/Prespa production area covers 3,500 hectares, with approximately 2,000 registered apple producers, most of whom own 1-2 hectares of apple orchards. Despite the significance of apple production for the sustainable rural development of the Resen/Prespa region, most producers can be considered as part-time farmers. The Resen/Prespa apple producers mainly use older orchards, predominantly planted on the MM106 rootstock, with a density of 800-1,000 trees. The large majority of producers use non-certified plant material or on-farm grafted seedlings. To secure higher yields of high-quality apples, a major challenge is the need to gradually replace existing older orchards with higher density production systems based on the M-9 rootstock and certified plantlets. The current production technology and level of knowledge in the Resen/Prespa region is reflected in a low average yield of 25 tonnes/hectare. The potential for improvements in orchard management is significant, given that similar but better-managed orchard production systems in other countries produce 40-50 tonnes/hectare. To ensure a systematic approach towards orchard management improvement, an "Apple Production Standard" could be developed and implemented. The lack of modern storage/packing facilities is a major restrictive factor in achieving higher quality of Resen/Prespa apples. Currently, there is only an estimated 7,000 tonnes capacity of storage facilities that provide "Regular Atmosphere (Temperature and humidity control)" in Macedonia. Most of these facilities are situated within the premises of companies established during ex-Yugoslavia. Controlled atmosphere storage facilities (ULO & DCA) are non-existent. The Resen/Prespa apple producers currently do not use modern tests to assess fruit maturity prior to harvesting, such as starch, sugar, and firmness tests. This situation is determined by the fact that their buyers (traders/exporters) have established fruit color and fruit size as the basic fruit quality parameters. A major challenge in the future will be to establish "Fruit Maturity Tests" appropriate for the Resen/Prespa region, based on the postharvest management regimes of modern storage facilities. The education of producers/harvest crews on proper picking techniques, transportation, and the introduction of modern harvest equipment is also an area that needs to be improved. Ensuring orchard management practices that will result in high-quality apples being delivered to storage facilities is the basic precondition for successful postharvest management.