Apple and pear production in the Southern Hemisphere is predicted to fall by 2 per cent and 1 per cent respectively during 2012.
The estimates were released by the World Apple and Pear Association (Wapa) during the recent fresh produce trade fair Fruit Logistica in Berlin, Germany.
Data indicates that apple production from industry groups in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand and South Africa will reach 5.54m tonnes this year, while the pear crop will total 1.52m tonnes.
In the apple category, Chile is set to account for the lion’s share of production with 1.82m tonnes, followed by Brazil (1.19m tonnes), Argentina (950,000 tonnes), South Africa (781,000 tonnes), New Zealand (502,000 tonnes) and Australia (298,000 tonnes).
Argentina is on course maintain its position as the region’s leading pear producer with 827,000 tonnes, well ahead of South Africa (368,000 tonnes), Chile (191,00 tonnes), Australia (124,00 tonnes) and New Zealand (10,000 tonnes).
Export-wise, Wapa expects Southern Hemisphere apple exports will fall by 4 per cent to 1.66m tonnes.
Conversely, pear sendings from the Southern Hemisphere will increase by 14 per cent against last year to 721,991 tonnes.
Wapa said that volume projections for Argentina may be further adjusted in the coming weeks however, following recent adverse weather conditions in the country.
The organisation’s chairman Kevin Moffitt said the release of the data is Wapa’s contribution to increasing transparency of the world apple and pear business.
“Wapa will continue its efforts to aggregate at international level production and trade data to enhance transparency, cooperate on quality as well as on specific dossiers such as nutrition and health, as well as sharing experiences and best practices on promotion and image of apple and pears,” Moffitt explained.
Wapa is also involved in forecasting Northern Hemisphere topfruit forecasts.
