Southern hemisphere apple exports are forecast to decline in the season just started while pear sendings are expected to jump 14 per cent year on year.
The data, released on Friday by the World Apple & Pear Association (WAPA), shows a two per cent decrease year on year in apple output and a projected four per cent decline in exports. Conversely, while the pear crop is expected to drop one per cent exports will increase on 2011 levels, representatives from member countries of WAPA calculate.
Industry groups in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand and South Africa collected the figures before collating them at Fruit Logistica earlier this month. The total apple crop in the six countries is forecast at 5.5 million tonnes while pear output is expected to reach 1.5mt.
Braeburn, Gala and Red Delicious harvests are all forecast to fall slightly year on year although Gala output is expected to be slightly above the five-year average. Cripps Pink, Fuji, Golden Delicious and Granny Smith are all forecast to increase in volume.
However, WAPA said in a statement that recent “adverse climatic conditions” in Argentina could cause the Argentinean figures to be revised.
WAPA president Kevin Moffitt said: “The release of these date is one of WAPA’s contributions to increase transparency of the world apple and pear business. WAPA is also involved in a similar forecast process for the northern hemisphere. We will continue our efforts to aggregate at international level production and trade data to enhance transparency, co-operate on quality as well as on specific dossiers such as nutrition and health, as well as sharing experiences and best practices on promotion and the image of apples and pears.”
