Apple, pear and grape production in China is projected to increase during the year ending June 2012, according to a USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) report.
Predictions are apple production in the year ending June 2012 will increase five per cent on the preceding year. This is attributed largely to a three per cent increase in growing area.
The majority of new production is located in western provinces where labour is cheaper and farmland more plentiful than in the east.
Chinese apple exports, estimated at 110,000 tonnes, are predicted to increase by four per cent. This is being spurred by demand for low-class apples in Russia and neighbouring countries in Asia.
Imported apple volumes are expected to increase by eight per cent relative to the previous year with a total of 80,000 tonnes of fruit entering the country.
Pear production is expected to increase by four per cent this season, despite planting increasing by just one per cent. The FAS report attributes this increase to favourable weather conditions in regions where the fruit is grown.
Prices for the fruit increased by 50 per cent on the preceding year, although the report did now give a reason for this.
Pear imports have increased by 46 per cent compared to last year to a total of 500 tonnes. The report attributes this largely to China granting access to Belgian pears.
It is predicted by the end of the 2011/12 season China’s pear exports will total 400,000 tonnes – five per cent less than the preceding year.
According to the report there is still good demand for Chinese pears but foreign purchases are down as a result of rising export costs and unfavourable foreign exchange rates.
Grape production in China should increase by eight per cent on last year. This is despite the grape acreage increasing by nine per cent.
The total value of US grape shipments to China is estimated at US$92m for the year, an increase of 19 per cent over the previous. This is due mainly to strong demand for seedless US grapes.
Chinese grape exports for the year are estimated at 115,000 tonnes, an increase of 30 per cent on last season.
No comments yet