Southern Hemisphere apple exports are on course to increase 4 per cent this year to 1.72m tonnes, according to estimates from iQonsulting and reported by Fresh Fruit Portal.
The upturn in sendings comes on the back an anticipated 17 per cent growth in volume from Argentina, as well as increases in New Zealand (13 per cent), Chile (4 per cent) and South Africa (1 per cent).
According to iQonsulting, apple exports from New Zealand are forecast to reach 292,000 tonnes this year.
Argentina will also ship 211,233 tonnes, Chile 869,401 tonnes and South Africa 297,204 tonnes, while sendings from Brazil will contract by 40 per cent to 55,000 tonnes.
“The sharp decline in (Brazilian) export volume this season is due to various factors – on the one hand the alternate bearing of Fuji which has presented the most notable fall in volume for export,” iQonsulting said.
“Another factor that affected the decline was the colder than normal spring, with long periods of rain and some frosts which affected flowering, coupled with a very humid summer with some prolonged hail that affected quality, particularly for Royal Gala.
“Other factors that have influenced the fall in apple shipments to other markets are the unfavorable exchange rate and the increase in production costs.”
