South African apple exports increased by seven percent this year as a result of favourable growing conditions, according to a recent report by the USDA.
The Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report put post season estimates of apple exports from the country at 340,000 tonnes, up seven percent on exports of 320,000 tonnes in 2011.
Apple exports to the UK, South Africa’s single largest market, continued to decline, however. While figures were not available for 2012, last year exports to the UK fell by 29 per cent on figures from 2009.
The report attributed this to market barriers such a retailer’s requirements, a weak British pound, and a slow economic recovery.
Pear exports are expected to be down this year as a result of good volumes from Northern Hemisphere producers, the report stated.
