Apples pears generic

Red apple exports from Chile have risen by 4.44 per cent this season (2010/11), reaching some 528,082 tonnes, according to figures from Chile’s market intelligence system SimFRUIT.

Europe ranked the leading market for the category, absorbing 171,908 tonnes, or 8.98 per cent more than last season.

Latin America ranked the second-largest market with 111,224 tonnes, which is equivalent to a 10 per cent growth on last year, the report said.

The third-largest export destination was the Middle East, which received 91.052 tonnes of red apples from Chile – a 15 per cent increase on 2009/10.

The leading varieties in Chile’s red apple export category are Royal Gala, Richared Delicious and Fuji, according to SimFRUIT.