The Dutch apple and pear harvest is not only several weeks earlier than normal but the volume of fruit grown is also well above average, the Telegraaf reports on Tuesday. Grapes, which are grown in the south of the country, are also being harvested earlier than normal.

The paper says the early harvest has been caused by the warm spring. However, growers say it is too early to calculate the effect on prices because late frosts which devastated the crops in parts of eastern Europe are likely to boost demand for Dutch produce.