South Africa’s apple volumes will not quite reach the level of the record 2013 export season this year, but it is set to be a much higher crop than last year when hail in certain areas devastated the industry.
South Africa’s Apple and Pear Producers’ Association (SAAPPA) says the 2015 crop will return to normality after those climatic conditions caused damage in 2014, resulting in one of the lowest crops in years.
At this stage the forecast predicts a total apple export crop of 33.8m cartons, compared with last year’s exports of 27.1m cartons, and the 2013 record figure of 34.7m cartons.
The pear export crop is predicted to be slightly down on last year and will reach 15.8m cartons compared with last year’s 16.3m cartons.
SAAPPA notes that the pomefruit harvest started off 10-14 days earlier when compared with last year.
“The exports of early Bon Chretien, Rosemarie and Flamingo are already well underway,' the group explains. 'Overall the industry anticipates a normal export crop, with a recovery in apple export volumes to normal levels after the damage caused to the 2014 crop due to unfavorable climactic conditions.”
The association says the reduction in 2014 export volumes was caused by hail in Ceres and the Langkloof. “Although the Langkloof once again experienced hail during late November 2014, the impact on the national harvest is fairly small. However, the 2015 estimate is still lower than the record harvest of 2013.”
SAAPPA says the main reason for this year’s increase is young orchards coming into production, as well as a recovery from the down crop of the previous season. “Pear exports are expected to decrease with 3 per cent, mainly due to less Bon Chretien pears expected to be exported given the EU market situation and the market options for smaller fruit.”
The Association outlines that the congested EU market situation is a combination of large Northern Hemisphere stock volumes, coupled with the Russian ban on imports from the EU.
However, looking only at export volumes when one discusses the South Africa’s apple and pear crop does not paint the full story.
More than 50 per cent of the total apple crop is marketed in Africa and South Africa and the industry is much more protected against highs and lows in the international market.
This year will be no different with steady growth expected in both Africa and South Africa.
