New Zealand is to export the lowest Braeburn crop ever, undermining earlier predictions of a bumper crop.
The most recent Pipfruit New Zealand crop forecast, completed last week, indicates that the Braeburn crop will be no more than 65,000 tonnes in 2011.
Despite the prediction in January of a bumper crop, growers will export the lowest Braeburn crop ever. Only 3.7million cartons are bound for North American and European markets, down from an original pre-harvest estimate of 4.5m cartons.
“Growers have reacted to market signals and have decided to intervene in the Braeburn supply this season” said Peter Beaven, CEO of Pipfruit New Zealand.
Beavan said last season growers received poor returns for their Braeburn even though last season’s 3.8m carton crop was up until then the record low. “Growers have had enough and have given their exporters an ultimatum. Either deliver sustainable returns from those markets or expect to see the variety disappear,” he said.
This season growers have only picked and packed the very best fruit and the premium sizes but despite a good quality crop and the low volume, growers are still worried. “Braeburn has limited appeal in other markets such as Asia. The shorter shipping distances and better terms of trade in Asia are very attractive. Several years of poor returns for Braeburn will drive grower decisions to exit the variety in favour of change away from European supply,” said Beavan.
Demand for Royal Gala, Fuji and New Zealand Pacific series apples is increasing in Asia and there are fears that Braeburn is in danger of becoming a casualty of the global economic shift towards Asia.
“We know NZ Braeburn is a very good apple and there is good demand for it but it will be up to our importers to show that they can deliver sustainable economic returns and that there is still a place for Braeburn in our orchards,” added Beaven.
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