According to the Production Forecast for pears and apples presented yesterday by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of Rio Negro, this season's apple production in Rio Negro and Neuquen will amount to 863,676 tons, while pear production will amount to about 789,469 tons.
In percentage terms, the production of both fruits will increase by 4.7% when compared to last year, apples by 0.8% and pears by 9.3%. The most significant impact will be felt in Neuquén, but the bulk of the fruit is in Rio Negro.
The National University of Comahue, the Ministry of Territorial Development of Neuquen and Rio Negro’s MAGyP, through the Ministry of Pomology, conduct the study jointly every year.
Regarding the historical average, the study states that this season's production will be slightly lower (-1.1%), as there will be a decrease in apples (6.7%) and an increase in pears (5.9%). The percentage change in Rio Negro, when compared to the 2013 season, is of -1.7% (-4.6% in apples and + 1.6% in pears).
The report also states that, "although at the time of observation (first half of December), the fruit calibres corresponded to the average values, since there was a significant advancement in the flowering this year, estimated at two weeks, the late harvest sizes are expected to be predominantly small for all varieties, suggesting a final distribution of fruit size considerably lower than that obtained in previous seasons."
Furthermore, the report states that, "a significant increase was observed, compared to the previous season, in the loads of all varieties of pears and apples, except for the Granny Smith apple, which reached similar figures to the 2012/2013 season."
The forecast issued yesterday states that, by variety, Rio Negro will produce -2.7% in Red Delicious; -23.6% in Granny Smith; + 2.9% in Gala; + 17.0% in William's; -6.1% in Packham's and -1.9% in Anjou. Meanwhile Neuquén will produce -7.6% in Red Delicious; -26.9% In Granny Smith; + 5.2% Gala; + 13.7% in William's; + 2.7% Packham's and 0% in Anjou.
The study was conducted from a sample of 2,782 units spread over 326 farms from all producing areas of the region.
Source: Rio Negro