The concentrated juice trade numbers are really dramatic.
According to the latest statistics released by the Northern Patagonia port terminal, the region's exports of such products amounted to 17,500 tons by July 30 this year; the lowest level in the past 20 seasons.
This year's exports have dropped by 50% when compared to the same period in 2013 and by 47% when compared with the average export volumes during the first semester of the last five seasons.
According to private statistics, the amount of pear and apple juice being shipped is equal. "There's no doubt that one of the determining factors for this decline in juice exports has been the decline in this season's harvest. Another factor has been the internal pressure on production costs," said an important businessman.
It's worth noting that the sales data discussed in this article takes into account the export of juice concentrate from the port of San Antonio and Bahia Blanca, which represent over 80% of the region's total exports.
Four companies account for 99% of total sales of juices abroad. Jugos del Sur, which accounts for 40% of the sales, Natural Juice, 30%, Jugos SA, 15%, and Sower, 14%.
The data relates to the information recently delivered by FUNBAPA, which shows that 180,000 tons of apples were destined for the export of concentrates in the first six months of the year. Nearly 26% less than in the first half of 2013 and 33% less when compared with the consolidated average of the past five seasons.
According to official statistics, 397,000 tons of apples were sent to the north of the Colorado River during this period, the lowest level in all of the years analysed. 25% of these were oriented to the export market, a little over 28% to the domestic market and the remaining 47% to industry.
Source: rionegro.com.ar