The World Apple and Pear Association’s annual Southern Hemisphere production forecast shows slight drops in both crops compared to the past season.
Representatives from member countries met during the Fruit Logistica expo Feb. 7 in Berlin, which hosts the annual forecast meeting.
According to the WAPA, Southern Hemisphere apple production is expected to be 5 million tons, a 1% drop from 2019, and pears are forecast to be 1.28 million tons, a 3% crop. Apple exports from Southern Hemisphere countries are expected to be stable at 1.73 million tons, according to a news release, and pear exports, at 691,660 tons, are expected to be down 2%.
Southern Hemisphere countries in the World Apple and Pear Association are: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand and South Africa, according to the release.
Leading apple varieties, predicted tonnage for 2020 (and increase/decrease from 2019) are:
Gala: 1.96 million (up 1%)
Fuji: 729,000 (down 6%)
Red delicious: 627,000 (down 2%)
Granny smith: 448,000 (down 4%)
Cripps pink: 389,000 (down 2%)
Leading pear varieties and production are:
Packham’s Triumph: 445,000 (down 2%)
Williams BC (Bartletts): 376,000 (down 4%)
Forelles: 106,000 (down 2%)
Apple and pear growers also discussed marketing, promotion and consumption trends, and research/innovation activities the member countries are seeing.
“The discussion underlines the efforts of the sector to cope with the new market requirements and expectations to reduce pesticide dependency,” according to the news release. “It also focused on the development of new sustainable strategies regarding water usage, biodiversity, carbon emissions, adapting packaging to the plastic debate and continuing to promote the health benefits of apples and pears to consumers around the world.”
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