Chilean exporters are starting to look back on what has been a difficult season for southern hemisphere apples and pears in Europe.
“Local pear stocks were higher than the previous season - five per cent higher in January 2005 than 2004,” said the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association’s Christian Carvajal. “And there was an earlier start of Bon Chretien from South Africa in the second week of January and small sizes in Williams from Argentina, which started at the end of the month,” .
He also pointed out that with the Russian market closed for imports of Dutch pears, stocks emptied more slowly in Europe. And with the Williams season carrying on for longer than in 2004, the Packham´s start was delayed.
“William’s also had condition problems that affected the price,” said Carvajal. “And Chilean pears entering into the market at the end of February were faced with high stocks, which, furthermore, presented condition problems and kept up market pressure. This situation has become complicated as a result of the increase of fruit arriving under controlled atmosphere conditions. The problems of an over-stocked market, low prices and bad fruit condition have not been overcome yet.”
The picture for apples is just as difficult. European apple stocks were 18 per cent up year on year in February and prices significantly lower for local fruit than in 2004 making it a difficult start for the Chileans.
“By mid-April shipments to Europe from the southern hemisphere were 35 per cent up on last season, while by mid-July, volumes where four per cent lower,” said Carvajal.
“High temperatures recently in Europe have affected top fruit consumption as well and larger volumes of local summer fruit, at low prices, have dented demand.”
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