Chile
Apple Producers Seek Solutions to Their Most Difficult Moment (Dec 29)
The Chilean apple sector, which has been in decline for a decade, has seen its difficulties worsen due to rising costs and falling prices. Those who persist seek solutions in new varieties and technologies that improve quality and yield. Others bet on a market recovery in the coming season. Just days before the end of this year, one of the largest apple growers in Chile, Antonio Walker, says that "it's the worst apple season I've had to experience in 35 years." He is not the only one with that opinion.
Poland
2022, a Breakthrough in Polish Fruit Growing (Dec 26)
The vast majority of fruit growers and "professionals" in Poland have finally understood that they have an overproduction of apples and this is the main reason for the low prices and the inability to sell these fruits at all. 300K MT of dessert apples sold for processing with a subsidy of USD 0.069/kg (PLN 0.30/kg) in May and June in 2022 saved many of Polish farms from bankruptcy or prolonged their agony, as many experts claim. In 2022, fruit growers became convinced of the absolute laws of economics. With the supply of goods on the market significantly exceeding demand, there is no chance of raising prices, even despite significantly increasing production costs. Until the very end of 2022, it is deluded that prices would increase significantly, because all the costs of employees, protection measures, fertilizers, fuels, etc. have increased significantly. Unfortunately, prices for apples do not increase or increase minimally.
Industrial Apples During the Christmas Break (Dec 29)
The Christmas break in production meant no trade in industrial apples in the traditional way. Only contracted raw material was being processed. It was difficult to discuss the purchase price of industrial apples, if the purchase in the traditional form was not carried out. There were offers from growers which were quite varied. The most frequently expected price was USD 0.11/kg (PLN 0.50/kg). The batches put up for sale were usually from several dozen to one hundred box-pallets.
Turkey
Tridge Analysis: Excellent Quality and Improved Volume of Apples in Turkey Bolster Export Growth (Dec 30)
Turkey apple production for the 2022/23 season is estimated to reach 4.77M MT, while exports are expected to amount to 420K MT, a record high. Along with record production, excellent quality is expected due to favorable weather conditions, constant agricultural technology improvement, and the implementation of new apple varieties. Turkish producers focus on red and sweet apples, like Starkrimson, Scarlet Spur, and Red Chief, due to increasing demand from Middle Eastern countries. India has been the top export destination for Turkish apples for two consecutive years. (Continue Reading)
Due to Inflation, Apples in Turkey Have Gone up More Than 300% (Dec 27)
Raging inflation means that, regardless of the country, less affluent consumers cannot afford more and more basic products. In Turkey, the prices of the most popular fruits have increased by more than 300% YoY. The economic crisis in Turkey is manifested primarily by very high inflation. This in November exceeded 80%. In such a situation, the daily purchase of basic food products becomes a challenge for poorer citizens. Tangerine and apple prices increased more than 300% YoY. The price of tangerines increased from USD 0.096/kg (1.80 lira) to USD 0.42/kg (7.84 lira), that is by 335%. In the case of apples, an increase of 312% was registered from USD 0.16/kg (2.97 lira) to USD 0.66/kg (12.26 lira).
Turkish Apple Exports to India Declined by 21% YoY Due to Low Demand (Dec 29)
In 2022, Turkey's apple demand dropped YoY, especially from India. As a result, 21% fewer apples were exported to India in 2022. The exporters' margins remained low because energy, labor, and packaging costs increased, and the dollar exchange rate remained the same. Exporters aim to store the products in CA rooms until January and February to try to sell at higher prices. There is hope that demand will increase in January and prices will rise.
Moldova
In 2022, Moldova Exported an Apple to the Markets of 30 Countries (Dec 27)
In November 2022, Moldova exported fewer apples, mainly due to the fact that this 2022 harvest was small, according to Iurie Fale, CEO of Moldova Fruct, an association of fruit producers and exporters. This is entirely due to the drought. In 2021, they harvested 665K MT of apples in Moldova; this year, 2022, they suddenly have 40% less, about 405K MT. Most orchards are not irrigated, so their yield depends a lot on the amount of rain.
Moldova Competed With Ukrainian Apples (Dec 29)
Moldova, which used to sell the lion's share of its apples to Russia, will not deliver there this year. But its products increased competition on international markets for Ukrainian gardeners, said Taras Bashtannyk, president of the Ukrainian Fruit and Vegetable Association. As Taras Bashtannyk noted, overproduction has been a problem in the apple market in Ukraine for three years. There is a huge amount of these products that do not meet certain export requirements. In addition, Ukraine has quite successfully developed the markets of the East and Asia in recent years. Currently, they are actually not available, because we are talking about sea logistics.
Ukraine
Ukraine Has a Competitor With Cheap Quality Fruits on the Apple Market (Dec 30)
Overproduction has been a problem on the apple market in Ukraine for three years now. There are a huge number of these products that do not meet certain export requirements. In addition, Ukraine has been quite successfully developing the markets of the East and Asia in recent years. Now they are actually not available, because of maritime logistics. Consequently, additional troubles arose with apples due to lack of a sales market. The President of the Ukrainian Fruit and Vegetable Association (UPOA) Taras Bashtannik said.
