NZ apple shipments for this season will be down on initial forecasts, the industry’s export association has announced.

After revising packhouse and export data Pipfruit NZ claimed early varieties, Royal Gala, Cox and Pacific Beauty would be at least 10 per cent down on the pre-season estimate of

280,000 tonnes (15.5 million cases), bringing the new total to 262,000t (14.5m cases).

Volumes of Royal Gala have been pitched at 5m cases, compared with 6.5m last year.

“Royal Gala fruit size is okay at an average count of 109, but the volume fell away on the late picks” Pipfruit NZ chief executive, Peter Beaven said.

Cox volumes are also down, with fruit registering a rather small size profile.

“Total shipments will top out at about 530,000 cases against the estimate of 660,000 cases, a 20 per cent shortfall,” Beaven claimed.

Pacific Beauty volumes have fallen just as sharply. The industry now expects to ship 89,000 cases rather than the predicted 144,000.

Volumes for the later varieties, Braeburn, Fuji and Pink Lady, have not yet been confirmed but reductions are expected.

The pre-season crop estimate for Braeburn was 5.6m cases - down from 7.1m last year.

“Signs such as the number of empty bins sitting around packhouses and the fact that many packers closed for the Easter break suggest that there is no pressure,” Beaven said.

The NZ industry is hopeful the dramatic drop in exports will spell good news in terms of pricing.

“The critical European market has welcomed this reduced volume and pricing is stronger than last year. With the reduced value of the dollar, we are cautiously optimistic about returns this season,” Beaven said.

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