Chilean apple exports this year are likely to total around 708,000 tonnes in 2013, down 7 per cent on last year due to weather conditions during the last few months, according to an early forecast from Decofrut.
A low rate of chill hour accumulation during the winter, coupled with cold temperatures and rainfall during flowering, has negatively influenced fruit setting this year.
Rain and hail that fell in late December has also significantly affected major apple-growing areas, which could possibly lead to decreased packing yields, Decofrut told Americafruit, Asiafruit and Eurofruit.
However, one major Chilean grower-exporter said apple suppliers should expect good export results this year since Northern Hemisphere stocks are down and Chilean volume will be shorter than last season.
A “very promising” early season is also on the cards for Chilean pears, the supplier added, while it will be a normal season in terms of volume.
Asia, eastern Europe and the US should lead the way in terms of export performance.
The full report will be published in the February issues of Asiafruit and Eurofruit, as well as the February/March issue of Americafruit.
