The industry estimate is a total apple export crop of 33.8m cartons, well up from last year’s exports of 27.1m cartons, but not quite the record figure of 34.7m cartons seen in 2013.The pear export crop is estimated to be slightly down on last year at 15.8m cartons compared with last year’s 16.3m cartons.
JD Otto from Core Fruit explains that, "Exporters are more likely to send fruit to markets outside of Europe given the already full European market. Exports to Africa are seeing a 10% increase year on year, I expect this to continue, especially due to the high stocks in Europe. We will be looking at different markets, there is no use in sending apples to a full market."
He goes on to say that the Middle East market also continues to grow, but not as fast as Africa as it is has levelled out a bit.
Corefruit will most likely send fruit directly to China this season, after the Chinese market was opened for South African apples earlier this year. "It will take some time to establish as the Chinese specifications are high, but we will most likely send a couple of containers," said Otto.
"These days we are seeing a trend towards high colour strains of apple varieties. Growing markets in the east do play a role in this but it is also more of a global trend, people are looking for more high coloured varieties, although Africa does enjoy the green/golden varieties." Otto says that there have been many changes in the infrastructure and logistics in Africa, things are definitely getting much better.
Core Fruit have started looking into new varieties and will export its first Cheeky pears this year, but it is still a young company, only in its fifth year of business, "We have got some trial orchards on some of our farms, South Africa has a warmer climate so we are looking at varieties which have a lower cold requirement" explains Otto.
For more information:
JD Otto
JD@corefruit.com