Brazilian apple producers are positive despite battling adverse conditions during the picking of Royal Gala this season.
Heavy rains affected the South American country’s Royal Gala harvest but overall volumes emanating from Brazil have increased.
The Brazilian Apple Association (ABPM) reports that the industry is moving forward steadily each year and production in 2010 is forecast to be 1.17 million tonnes against 1.04mt last year.
Picking of Braeburn and Royal Gala has finished, Fujis are now being picked for the next two to three weeks and Pink Lady will conclude the Brazilian season.
Roland Brandes, managing director of RBR Trading in Brazil, told freshinfo: “We have finished the harvest for Royal Galas and Fujis. Royal Galas faced bad weather conditions during the harvest, so there is not uniform maturity standard. Fuji was very good and all the harvest went well. Overall volume is good, slightly bigger than last season, and quality is much better.
“We have more volume and quality standard is moving up. From the growers' point of view, Brazil is increasing and reaching very high standards. The [fluctuations in currency] have been the most difficult problem, as we need to reach very high prices to cover costs.”
Pierre Nicolas Pérès, president of the Brazilian Apple Association, added: “As always, UK clients are asking for a perfectly picked product with a very good crunch. This is no different from other years and this year our apples were crunchy, juicy and very tasty. But as the rain has delayed our picking we will not be able to provide necessary quantities to the market due to the quantities of fruits picked when over-mature.
“The industry is going forward, area is increasing slowly every year… but the growth of the sector may hide a danger, as newcomers are arriving with less experience. The amount of packhouses is over 200 right now and the pulverisation of the offer may induce some commercial disorder.
“On the other side, the concentration of the supermarket is very active and fewer than 20 supermarkets have the power to buy directly to the producers from those. The three first ones represent 80 per cent of the volume. We will have a hard time if we don’t concentrate the offer.”
