[Press Release] World Apple and Pear Association Presents 2024 Southern Hemisphere Crop Forecast

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Feb. 9, 2024 – On the occasion of its annual general meeting at Fruit Logistica, the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA) has released the Southern Hemisphere apple and pear crop forecast for the upcoming season. According to the forecast, which consolidates the data from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand and South Africa, apple production is set to grow by 1.1% compared with 2023, while the pear crop is expected to decrease by 2.3%.

On Feb. 9, 2024, WAPA held its annual general meeting. During the meeting, which took place during Fruit Logistica in Berlin, WAPA presented the Southern Hemisphere apple and pear crop forecast for the upcoming season. This report has been compiled with the support of CAFI (Argentina), APAL (Australia), ABPM (Brazil), Fruits from Chile (Chile), New Zealand Apples and Pears (New Zealand) and Hortgro (South Africa), and therefore provides consolidated data from the six leading Southern Hemisphere countries.

Regarding apples, the Southern Hemisphere 2024 crop forecast suggests an increase of 1.1% to a total of 4,775,530 tons compared with last year (4,725,574 tons). South Africa is expected to maintain its lead as the largest producer with 1,396,659 tons (+4.6% from 2023), followed by Brazil (1,100,000 tons, in line with 2023), Chile (912,000 tons, −8.4%), New Zealand (557,871 tons, +14.7%), Argentina (501,000 tons, −4.8%) and Australia (308,000 tons, +5.8%). With 1,578,148 tons, Gala is by far the most popular variety, with its volume remaining in line with 2023 although 11.4% below the average of the previous three years. Exports are also expected to increase (+8%) to reach 1,551,696 tons. South Africa (+5.1%) and Chile (+5.3%), the two largest exporters, are both expected to increase their export volumes, reaching 572,280 and 493,000 tons, respectively. Exports from New Zealand should grow by 22.2% (381,729 tons in total), while lower export quantities are forecast for Argentina (70,000 tons, −4.1%) and Brazil (32,000 tons, −10.6%).

Regarding pears, the Southern Hemisphere growers predict a slight decline in the crop (−2.3%), bringing the total to 1,465,800 tons. Argentina (614,000 tons), Chile (203,000 tons) and Australia (72,000 tons) are expected to decrease their production by 6%, 5.4% and 2.7%, respectively. South Africa’s production levels are forecast to increase (567,334 tons, +3.4% from 2023), as are New Zealand’s (9,066 tons, +8.4%). Packham’s Triumph remains the most produced variety (508,000 tons, with a slight 1.3% decrease compared with 2023), followed by Williams’ bon chrétien pears (300,082 tons). Export figures are expected to be in line with 2023 with a total of 654,323 tons.

European apple stocks stood at 3,851,098 tons as of Jan. 1, 2024, which is 4.6% lower than in 2023. Similarly, the total of 582,587 tons for European pears is 4.4% below the figures from the previous year. On the other hand, stock figures are higher in the United States, both for apples (2,138,376 tons, +33.6%) and for pears (169,474 tons, +14.9%).

During the annual general meeting, Jeff Correa (Pear Bureau Northwest, United States) was elected as the president of the association, taking over from Dominik Woźniak (Society for Promotion of Dwarf Fruit Orchards/Rajpol, Poland). Nick Dicey (Hortgro, South Africa) will join him as the vice president. Regarding his new role, Correa commented, “I’m honoured that I have been elected as the next chairman of WAPA. I look forward to working with the WAPA staff and membership to advance the data sharing, market insights, and explore new avenues that will benefit the organization and its members.” Finally, the annual general meeting confirmed that the next edition of Prognosfruit will be held in Budapest, Hungary, on Aug. 7–9, 2024. More information about the event will soon be announced on the Prognosfruit website.

About WAPA

WAPA was founded in August 2001 with the objectives of providing a forum for discussion on matters of interest to the apple and pear business and initiating recommendations to strengthen the sector. The current president of the association is Jeff Correa (Pear Bureau Northwest, United States) and the current vice president is Nick Dicey (Hortgro, South Africa). WAPA membership includes the following countries and areas: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, China, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Moldova, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Scandinavia, Slovenia, South Africa, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Images: Pixabay (main image), WAPA (body images)