Europe
European Apple Market Situation
At Prognosfruit 2022, the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA) announced a harvest forecast for the 2022/23 season in the EU27 and the United Kingdom of 12,167,887 tons, 1% more than the final production of the last year, and 9% higher than the 2019-2020-2021 average. Poland, the largest European producer confirmed an increase of more than 27%, thus recovering its productive potential after several years with climatic effects. France announced a similar production +1%; Italy an increase of +3%; and Germany also +6%. On the contrary, Spain reported the expected drop in production due to the effects of the frosts in April, which was estimated at –16%. By varieties, the Golden Delicious fell again (–5%) with a forecast production of 2,064,000 tons, which confirms the downward trend in Europe. Gala continues to grow, for which a new record is expected with 1,614,000 tons (+2%), as well as Cripps Pink, which reaches a volume of 311,000 tons, 21% more than last year. Red Delicious and Fuji remain stable, and club varieties continue their upward trend, exceeding 436,000 tons and growing 19% compared to last year.
In the beginning of August, coinciding with the start of the new apple season in Europe, the president of WAPA, Dominik Wozniak, pointed out that the prospects for the new season were "positive", although he also stressed that the sector will have to be prepared to face a series of challenges. Among the setbacks are the significant increase in costs that affects the competitiveness of the sector, the intense weather conditions, logistical problems, inflation and the difficulty in obtaining seasonal workers. This will help in curbing increasing consumption due to the quality of the products of the season and reversing the recent negative trend. The fears announced in August related to the problems of lack of size and colour were confirmed in the update on the European production situation. The intense weather conditions in August (heat waves and droughts in some regions) have negatively affected the size and colour of part of the harvest, which implies that there will be more volume destined for industry and less supply of fresh apples.
Italy
The Month of Kissabel the Red-Fleshed Apple Starts
The Italian commercial season of Kissabel has just started, the red-fleshed apple that is increasingly attracting the interest and curiosity of consumers. Kissabel is the brand that identifies the different apple varieties with colored pulp, from pink to intense red, developed using exclusively natural breeding techniques. This is attributed to the Ifored program, an international partnership that involves 14 of the largest production and marketing companies in the world . The NovaMela Consortium, which brings together the Italian producers Melinda, Vip, Rivoira, La Trentina and Vog, reports an excellent quality crop, with slightly larger sizes than the previous year. “The Italian harvest was good and in line with forecasts” explains Fabio Zanesco, spokesperson for Novamela. The actual trading window based on availability will be for approximately one month. At the moment the demand far exceeds the market offer due to the very strong curiosity.
Chile
"Fruits from Chile" had an outstanding participation in The Global Produce & Floral Show, which took place in Orlando, USA, last week, and which was also the first face-to-face fair organized by IFPA (International Fresh Produce Association). Our country had a large pavilion, which was very popular with importers, buyers and retailers, who were able to hold business meetings with the representatives of the exporting companies present at the event. The president of ASOEX commented that the main fruits exported in 2021-2022, to the US market, were table grapes with 38% of the total volume shipped, mandarins (14.3%), oranges (10.8%), blueberries (6.8%), apples (6.5%) and clementines (5.2%).
Chilean Fresh Fruit Exports Amounted to USD 4,235 Between January and September 2022
According to the Fruit Bulletin of October 2022, prepared by the Office of Agricultural Studies and Policies (Odepa), during the period January-September 2022, a total of 2.92 million tons of fruit exports were registered, for a value of USD 5,991 million FOB, (sale values are subject to IVV1 adjustments). Compared to the same period of the previous year, there is an increase of 0.8% in the volume exported, and 3% in value. Fresh fruit reaches sales of 2.31 million tons, equivalent to USD 4,235 million FOB between January and September 2022. These exports registered an increase in volume of 0.5%, and a decrease in value of -0.4% compared to the same period of the previous year. The third was apple fruits after berries and table grapes registering shipments of 546,552 tons, equivalent to USD 481.1 million FOB, registering a decrease of 7.6% in volume and 15% in value, compared to the same period of the previous year, with shipments to various countries, such as the US (13, 6%), Colombia (12.7%), and Brazil (9%).
Poland
When Will Industrial Apple Prices Rise
Almost every year, the prices of industrial apples in November increase. Every year, growers store some of the raw materials on their farms. If we analyse the raw material purchase prices in recent years, we notice a certain regularity. Usually, at the peak of the harvest, prices are lowest, which is understandable. Nevertheless, they are rising in November. Depending on the year, either from the beginning of the month or from the middle of the month. Last year, in November, the price increased from PLN 0.22 to PLN 0.40 per kilogram, i.e. by almost 100%. This year, the situation on the concentrated market allows for a similar scale of increases from 0.33 - 0.34 to 0.70 PLN / kg. When and whether prices increase depends on the processing industry, which has adopted a clear purchasing policy this season.
Turkey
In Kayseri, Apples Are Produced According to the Tastes of the Countries
In Kayseri, one of the important apple production centres of Turkey, 280 thousand yields are expected this year. Apples produced in Yahyalı, Yeşilhisar and Develi districts, located on the outskirts of Erciyes, in varieties that attract more attention from consumers abroad, are collected in the orchards, stored in cold storage, and then sent to different countries after being ready for export. Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Mustafa Sahin stated that an average of 240 thousand tons of apples are produced annually in Kayseri hence Turkey ranks 3rd in the world, where China tops. Explaining that apple varieties have started to change in recent years, Şahin said that varieties such as gransimit, golden or jeromine, which attract attention in the market, are grown according to demand.
Japan
Japanese Shinano Sweet Apples Arrived to Taiwan in W43
The first container of Japanese Shinano sweet apples arrived in W43 in Taiwan. Before opening the container, the apples were distributed to local buyers from wholesalers. The market prices for the 28 counts were USD 75.47 (NTD 2,400) and for 32 counts USD 69.18 (NTD 2,200). The prices are forecasted to drop in W44 by around USD 3.14-6.29/ 10kg carton (NTD 100-200/ 10kg carton).
- 28 counts - USD 75.47/ 10kg carton (NTD 2,400/carton)
- 32 counts - USD 69.18/ 10kg carton (NTD 2,200/carton)
- 36 counts - USD 62.89/ 10kg carton (NTD 2,000/carton)
- 40 counts - USD 53.46/ 10kg carton (NTD 1,700/carton)
Spain
Significantly Fewer Conference Pears and Reineta Apples in Spanish El Bierzo Due to Spring Frost
The spring frost has had a significant impact on the cultivation of Conference pears and Reineta apples in the northern Spanish region of El Bierzo. Representatives of the Guarantee Mark and the Designation of Origin report that about 25% fewer pears have been harvested than in a normal season. In total, the yield of Conference pears is 11 million kilos. The Reineta apple harvest amounts to 1.3 million kilos. That is 55% less than normal.
Germany
Important Changes in Apple Varieties Since 2017
The report of the German fruit tree census 2022 summarises the results of deciduous and stone fruit trees and focuses on the development of planted apple and pear varieties. Since the 2017 census, the total acreage has decreased by 1.45% and 9.2% of German fruit farms. In terms of area, apples are by far the most important deciduous tree species in Germany, accounting for about two thirds (33,106 ha) of the total area of German deciduous trees. Between 2017 and 2022, the reported figures show a 2.6% decrease in the total apple acreage and significant changes in the share of the different varieties. The 2022 survey reports 78 different apple varieties currently grown in Germany. Most of these breeds are of limited or regional importance. Only 25 varieties are grown on more than 100 hectares each, and fewer than ten cover more than 1000 hectares. More than half of the area (53%) is covered by one of the five main varieties. The top 10 varieties cover 66% of the acreage.
Ukraine
Ukrainian Apple Producers Suffer Serious Losses Due to the War
The full-scale invasion of Russia had a negative impact on the agricultural sector of Ukraine. Additional problems arose against the backdrop of problems with power supply. There is no agro-industrial complex in the country that did not suffer losses due to the war. Negative trends are also noted in the production of apples. The President of the Ukrainian Fruit and Vegetable Association (UPOA) Taras Bashtannik noted this in an exclusive commentary to SEEDS. According to him, this year the apple yield was good. “Because of the war, apple growers were not able to apply enough pesticides in their orchards. In addition, this year farmers have faced adverse weather conditions. In particular, September was rainy. All this had a negative impact on the quality of the apple,” the specialist notes. As the head of the UPOA noted that prices in Ukraine are at the level of 10 UAH/kg for high-quality apples and 3-3.5 UAH/kg for products that are further processed into concentrate. But what will happen next is difficult to predict. After all, the list of problems in the agricultural sector, unfortunately, is systematically growing.
India
Kashmir in India Expects a Large Apple Harvest of More Than 2.1 Million Tons
Kashmir Departmental Commissioner PK Pole has stated that the difficulties faced by fruit trucks on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway come at a time when Kashmir is experiencing a record harvest of apples, which exceeds 2.1 million tons this year. He said the apple harvest usually amounts to 1.7 to 1.8 million tons, but this year was an exceptionally good year. He added that up to October 12, about 80,000 apple-loaded trucks were travelling on the national highway, while some were being diverted via the Mughal road. “There is now a smooth passage of trucks along the national highway and at least 1,500 trucks of apples are received per day,” he said.
Australia
Apple and Pear Crops Damaged by Hail, Huge Losses in Orchards
The apple and pear crops in Australia's Goulburn Valley were damaged by sudden hail. The storm that came yesterday afternoon hit the young fruit plantings in a large area of northern Victoria. Post hail loss estimation is in progress. Fruit Growers Victoria spokesman Michael Crisera checked the damage: "Probably 50 percent of the region has been hit by hail to varying degrees, everywhere from Cobram, Ardmona, parts of Tatura, Shepparton and Shepparton East."
South Korea
Full-Scale Shipment of Sour and Sweet Late Apples
Late-season apples are being harvested and shipped in earnest in Taean, Chungcheongnam-do. According to Taean-gun on the 3rd, end-of-life buds have been harvested since the 1st in an area of 11,500㎡ in an apple farm in Inpyeong-ri, Taean-eup. The delivery price is between 35,000 and 40,000 won per 5 kg. A military official said, "Taean late apples grown in loess are popular as gifts because of their firm flesh and high sugar content.
Russia
The apple market this week was characterised by the growth of prices for some sorts of these fruits in Poland, Ukraine and Central Asia. In Poland and Ukraine, the demand from buyers for the Gala apple variety was quite high, and the farmers themselves tried to somewhat limit the supply of these fruits from storage. As a result, prices for this apple in the Polish and Ukrainian markets rose to $0.21/kg and $0.33/kg, respectively. At the same time, buyers' interest in Renet Simirenko in these markets remained restrained, and producers failed to adjust prices, and in Ukraine they even sank to $0.27/kg. Meanwhile, in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, the supply of apples was declining, as many market participants tried to postpone sales to a later period. As a result, apple prices in Uzbekistan were actively growing for at least the second week in a row and reached $0.72/kg in the Renet Simirenko segment and $1.08/kg in the Gala apple market. In Tajikistan, at the end of the week, the average prices for these varieties formed within the range of $0.34-0.39/kg.
