The Argentinean apple and pear industry is anticipating another low volume year in 2013 on the back of last year’s 43 per cent decline in apple exports to 134,000 tonnes and 17 per cent contraction in pear shipments to 395,000 tonnes.
The export result in 2012 marked the lowest apple output in 20 years and the smallest pear crop since 2006, Top Info Marketing told Americafruit, Asiafruit and Eurofruit.
Although Argentina's topfruit production is set to fall slightly in 2013 compared with last year, Top Info said exports this year could partially recover in light of improved conditions on the export market.
“The pear sector in particular is hoping for more favourable markets with attractive prices, which could partially compensate Argentina’s rising internal costs,” Top Info’s Betina Ernst explained.
“Pear volume to the traditional European market should recover especially thanks to a reduced availability of local pears this year.
It’s also hoped that Argentina can send some more apples to Europe and Russia than in 2012, and maintain or increase sendings to north Africa.”
Following severe storms in January, the analyst expects Argentina’s 2013 topfruit production will be slightly lighter than in 2012.
In Río Negro – the leading topfruit-growing area – apple production is set to dip by 4 per cent to 842,000 tonnes, Top Info said.
The Río Negro pear crop, meanwhile, is estimated to decline by 12 per cent to 589,000 tonnes.
