Early harvest of South African apples and pears shows positive projections

Following below-average exports due to hail damage in some of South Africa's main apple and pear producing regions in 2023, the sector faces 2024 with more optimistic projections. With the 2024 harvest underway and a week to ten days ahead of schedule, everything points to promising apple export volumes and a slightly below-average pear export crop. The South African intelligence company Hortgro forecasts an increase of 7% in apple exports and 1% in pear exports. The increase in the volume of apples is due to the entry into production of young orchards and favorable weather conditions. In terms of varieties, bi-red apples such as Gala, Cripps Red and Bigbucks are expected to drive the majority of the volume increase, with increases of 5%, 11% and 33%, respectively. There is also or for Pink Lady volumes, which are expected to increase by 8%, following the trend of recent seasons. The estimate of pear exports, ...