Southern Hemisphere stonefruit exports are tipped to rise by 3 per cent in 2011/12 compared with last season thanks to improved weather.
Total sendings of peaches, plums, nectarines and apricots are forecast to reach 297,000 tonnes, according to a report from iQonsulting and reported by Fresh Fruit Portal.
The biggest increase will come from South Africa where peach and nectarine output is set to increase by 12 per cent, while its plum offer will contract by 1 per cent to 48,800 tonnes.
South Africa is also due to record the biggest increase in apricot sendings this season, with volume set to rise by 11 per cent to 4,600 tonnes, iQonsulting said.
In Chile, total stonefruit shipments are on course to grow by 6,000 tonnes to 210,000 tonnes due largely to a 5 per cent growth in plum sendings to 105,700 tonnes.
Conversely, the report said that Chilean apricot sendings will fall by 3 per cent, the report said, while nectarines will remain stable against last year.
Neighbouring Argentina, meanwhile, will export 24,300 tonnes of stonefruit in 2011/12, up 8 per cent on last season; largely attributable to a 20 per cent hike in plum sendings to 13,800 tonnes.
iQonsulting said Argentinean peach shipments are expected to fall by 10 per cent to 5,190 tonnes while its apricot and nectarine offer should increase by 6 per cent and 2 per cent respectively.
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