Brazil’s total planted area to apples for2014 is estimated to decrease to 37,579 hectares, a 2 percent decline from theprevious year, as the planting of new trees is limited by the higher costs ofproduction. The reason for the reduction in the area is the eradication of oldorchards, which were showing low productivity in recent years.
Santa Catarina continues to be the mainapple-producing state in Brazil, accounting for 48 percent of total area,followed by Rio Grande do Sul with 47 percent. Brazil mainly produces three apple varieties: Gala, Fuji and Eva.
Production:
In calendar year (CY) 2013, appleproduction totalled 1.226 million metric tonnes (MMT).
"During the winter 2013 the weather was un-clement and this is a characteristic of the winter, trees are dormant, winter was one of the best of the last 10 years, by the end Brazil was expecting a very good crop. During the spring there was frost, unfavorable condition to pollination, cold and rain, and quantity turned to be smaller than what was expected. But the quality was there and the average price was the best the industry ever got," said Pierre Nicolas Pérès from Grupo POMAGRI.
Consumption:
According to the World Apple and PearAssociation, fresh apple consumption was 3 kilos (6.61 lbs) per inhabitant in2013. Apple consumption decreased in 2014 when compared to the previous year asa consequence of the low quality of the fruit available for purchase. Consumersreplaced low quality apples for other fruits.
Trade:
In CY2013, Brazil exported 85,429 MT ofapples, an 18 percent increase compared to the same period in 2012. Appleproducers prioritised exports to recover from 2011.
In CY 2014, exports are forecast to declineby 9 percent. The quality of the fruit has been damaged by adverse weatherconditions and the European markets, where the bulk of exports are destined,prefer the top quality fruit, without a damaged appearance.
Imports:
Due to increased consumption in 2013 moreapples were imported to the national market. According to trade statistics, theamount of imported apples rose by 62 percent, reaching 93,964 MT in 2013. In2013, Argentina was the major supplier, providing 49 percent of the totalimports, followed by Chile at 42 percent and France at 3 percent.
It is expected that Brazil will increaseimports by about 4 percent in CY 2014. A slight increase of 1 percent isforecast for 2015.
Source: USDA