The US department of agriculture has estimated this week that China’s 2005-06 apple crop will close the season down 15 per cent on last season’s volume.
According to the USDA’s latest report from its staff in the republic, fruit quality has improved despite the drop to 20.4 million tonnes. Cold temperatures in late spring took their toll on a wide area in the northerly apple producing regions and Shandong, Hebei, Henan and Shanxi all saw their harvests of the crop decline to the tune of 10-20 per cent.
The US authority is forecasting a decline in exports of almost eight per cent to 780,000t as local apple prices rose by about 20 per cent on the previous season making the Chinese market an attractive option.
Meanwhile, delegates at last week’s Asiafruit Congress in Beijing learnt that there is likely to be no let up in China’s aggressive competition on international markets. A number of speakers highlighted the country’s labour cost advantages and production growth as well as marked improvements in product quality that will ensure they continue to worry northern hemisphere suppliers.
But there were warnings for the Chinese too from European speakers. Hispafruit’s Eddy Kreukniet stressed the need for quality and organisation. “China has big growth potential in Europe, but needs to put greater emphasis on food safety,” said Kreukniet. “Complying with food-safety standards such as EurepGAP doesn’t mean you can recoup a higher revenue. But without them you simply cannot distribute in Europe. Please invest in food safety.”
No comments yet