Global: China’s apple production set to fall by 5 million tons in 2022/23

A recent report on fresh apples, grapes and pears released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service has detailed the impact of adverse weather conditions on apple harvests in China, the United States, South Africa, New Zealand and other major apple producers. Global apple production in the 2022/23 season is expected to reach 78.4 million metric tons, representing a decrease of 4.3 million metric tons. Meanwhile, global apple exports are estimated to fall to just 5.5 million metric tons, a decrease of over 1.0 million metric tons, on account of reduced shipments from China, Iran and Moldova. China’s apple production is forecast to hit 41.0 million metric tons, corresponding to a decrease of almost 5.0 million metric tons, because of high temperatures during bloom reducing fruit set in the major producing provinces of Shaanxi and Shandong. In several northern and western provinces, low market returns are spurring growers to cut down their trees, while the ...