The World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA) recently disclosed the anticipated Southern Hemisphere apple and pear crop projections for the upcoming season at an event in Berlin. Based on the collective data from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa, apple production is projected to increase by 1.1% compared to the previous year, while the pear crop is expected to decline by 2.3%.
This announcement came during WAPA's Annual General Meeting held on Friday, February 9, 2024, as part of the Fruit Logistica event in Berlin, as reported by FreshPlaza. The report, supported by organizations such as CAFI (Argentina), APAL (Australia), ABPM (Brazil), Fruits from Chile (Chile), New Zealand Apples and Pears (New Zealand), and Hortgro (South Africa), consolidates data from the six major Southern Hemisphere countries.
In terms of apples, the forecast for the 2024 Southern Hemisphere crop indicates a 1.1% increase, totaling 4,775,530 tons compared to the previous year's 4,725,574 tons. South Africa is expected to lead as the largest producer with 1,396,659 tons (a 4.6% increase from 2023), followed by Brazil (1,100,000 tons, consistent with 2023), Chile (912,000 tons, down 8.4%), New Zealand (557,871 tons, up 14.7%), Argentina (501,000 tons, down 4.8%), and Australia (308,000 tons, up 5.8%). Gala remains the most popular variety, accounting for 1,578,148 tons, although this represents an 11.4% decrease from the average of the previous three years. Exports are expected to rise by 8% to reach 1,551,696 tons. Both South Africa (up 5.1%) and Chile (up 5.3%) are anticipated to increase their export volumes, reaching 572,280 tons and 493,000 tons, respectively. New Zealand's exports are projected to grow by 22.2% (totaling 381,729 tons), while lower export quantities are forecasted for Argentina (70,000 tons, down 4.1%) and Brazil (32,000 tons, down 10.6%). On the other hand, Southern Hemisphere growers anticipate a slight decline in the pear crop by 2.3%, resulting in a total of 1,465,800 tons. Argentina (614,000 tons), Chile (203,000 tons), and Australia (72,000 tons) are expected to decrease their production by 6%, 5.4%, and 2.7%, respectively. South Africa's production levels are forecasted to increase to 567,334 tons (up 3.4% from 2023), as well as New Zealand's (up 8.4%, totaling 9,066 tons). Packham's Triumph remains the most produced variety (508,000 tons, with a slight 1.3% decrease compared to 2023), followed by Williams' bon chrétien pears (300,082 tons). Export figures are expected to remain consistent with 2023, totaling 654,323 tons.
As of January 1, 2024, European apple stocks stood at 3,851,098 tons, down 4.6% from 2023. Similarly, European pear stocks totaled 582,587 tons, marking a 4.4% decrease from the previous year. Conversely, stock figures in the USA show an increase, with apple stocks at 2,138,376 tons (up 33.6%) and pear stocks at 169,474 tons (up 14.9%).
During the AGM, Jeff Correa from the Pear Bureau Northwest, USA, was elected as the President of the association, with Nick Dicey from Hortgro, South Africa, serving as the Vice-President.
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