The peach industry in the world: Present situation and trend

The world peach production is about 10 million tons, second only after the apple, and the highest concentration of peach orchards is around the Mediterranean. While peach production is decreasing in the U.S.A. and is stable in the EU it is increasing in China and in South America, particularly in Chile. The main problems linked to the peach industry evidenced by most countries are: low fruit quality, high production costs, international competition and overproduction. Regarding fruit categories white flesh nectarines are increasing while peaches and canning clingstones are stable or decreasing. The intensive peach breeding activity worldwide has released almost 500 new commercial cultivars since 1990, half of which have been obtained by cross pollination. It is interesting to note that private breeders have been more active than public research institutions. Concerning the ripening time, nectarines are concentrated in the early season (before Redhaven) while peaches coincide with the mid season (2-3 weeks after Redhaven). The most common rootstock worldwide is the peach seedling followed by the peach x almond hybrids. The main training systems used are "vase" and "palmette", while two emerging systems are "central leader" and "Y shape" Considering the irrigation systems, furrows and flooding are still very common, while drip irrigation is steadily increasing, the most common soil management is clean cultivation. The main objectives of the research institutions shown by the survey are the following : breeding new cultivars and rootstocks, training systems and planting density, integrated pest management and fruit production, pest control, postharvest, etc.. Within cultivar breeding programs the main objectives are : "resistance to pests", "extension of ripening time", "fruit quality","new type of fruit", "new tree architecture", "low chilling", etc..