The Denominación de Origen Euskal Sagardoa announced on 21 August that apple picking for sidra production had already begun in some orchards in the Basque Country – earlier than usual. For the 2026 season, the designation of origin expects the harvest to be around 30 to 35 per cent below the 2025 level. Conditions vary greatly by region, the agency Europa Press.
reported. Euskal Sagardoa cites the weather in recent weeks as the main cause, accelerating ripening and producing smaller fruit; increased fruit drop before the usual start of picking has also been observed. Some producers have therefore started harvesting now, while other areas are expected to follow in the coming days or weeks. Coastal areas of Gipuzkoa and parts of Bizkaia reported tighter supplies, while some higher-altitude areas and parts of Álava expect relatively better yields.
Producers are adjusting their operations to the smaller harvest: presses and sidrerías are gradually starting up, with most planning to begin production in the first half of September. Euskal Sagardoa also announced a public presentation of the 2026 harvest for mid-September at the trial site Otalarrea in Villabona (Gipuzkoa). More detailed volume figures and initial quality assessments are due to be presented at the event. According to the designation of origin, it will also help monitor and promote local varieties and coordinate producers and administrations.
Background and context: After a relatively abundant 2025 season, less raw material is expected for making sidra in 2026. Industry experts note that smaller harvests can sometimes produce more concentrated flavours, but this can only be assessed after pressing is complete. In the short term, the effects are mainly driven by volumes and prices: for retailers, the hospitality sector and the Txotx season in Basque Country lower availability is likely to affect supply planning and potentially prices.
Separating confirmed facts from forecasts: The early start to harvesting in parts of the Basque Country and Euskal Sagardoa’s forecast of a 30 to 35 per cent fall in volume compared with 2025 are confirmed. Final production figures and the quality assessment of the 2026 harvest remain unknown; these are due to be clarified in mid-September.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).