Prices for Gala over the next couple of seasons will be crucial in determining the pattern of future plantings and the variety's long-term success on world markets, warned the October issue of the World Apple Report.

'The real price Armageddon may not occur for a year or two until supplies of competing varieties are back to normal and Gala supplies continue to rise,' stated the report, published on October 1, by Washington-state based Belrose. 'However, Gala prices are likely to be under pressure for much of the 2001-02 season. That may cause some producers to delay or scrap plans for new plantings.' Gala production has been increasing steadily as new acreage comes on stream and offsets the pattern of alternate bearing. This season production in North America and Europe is forecast to be up by more than 20 per cent, while total apple production is down by almost nine per cent.

The report finds that although the variety has helped expand total demand for apples, the biggest impact it has had on the marketplace globally is to displace older varieties. In both Europe and North America it appears that Gala's gains have come to a large extent at the expense of Red Delicious. The red variety has experienced a decline in production and market share which mirrors the increases of Gala.

While there have been gains by other new varieties such as Fuji, Jonagold and Braeburn, Gala has a 'dual appeal' being popular with the supply chain because it grows and handles well, as well as consumers and retailers for its taste. The result is that Gala has surpassed these other varieties in market share.

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