Crop & Harvest Updates
Pink Lady going strong all over the world

South Africa - Pink Lady crop situation

In the Free State area of South Africa, the first Cripps Pink have been picked around 10th April. We are all anxiously awaiting the so badly needed cold snaps to bring on the colour and hopefully the cold snap will materialize soon.

There is a big crop of Cripps Pink in South Africa. Fruit size is average to small. There has been some hail damage in the Langkloof area and as usual sunburn is a factor but I do not believe anymore than in the past.

A lot of work will be done in South Africa this year with the two ethylene suppressant and ethylene blocker products namely ReTain and SmartFresh. ReTain to delay the harvest of the Cripps Pink a little bit, hopefully into the colder weather and SmartFresh as a post harvest treatment to improve storage ability of the fruit.

I am confident with all the work being put into picking fruit of the correct maturity, storing it correctly and other advise given to us by Jenny Jobling, South Africa will produce an excellent crop of good quality Pink Lady apples in 2008.

New Zealand

Two very successful technical meetings were held in late January in Hawkes Bay and Nelson. Dr Nagin Lallu of HortResearch presented the findings of the international study on flesh browning in Pink Lady apples to over 40 industry participants. This has been followed up with the publication of a one page summary of key findings from the study which has been distributed to all growers, packers and exporters.

Sublicence agreements for the 2008 season have been issued and the number of exporters is currently 12, which is slightly less than in 2007. Crop estimates for the UK and Continent markets seem very optimistic, with increases of 32% and 15% over 2007 actual shipments respectively. Crop estimates for the USA market are similar to 2007.

Discussions are currently being held with export companies that are interested in supplying the New Zealand domestic market in 2008. The NZPLGA would like to build on the success of the 2007 pilot programme and may contribute to the cost of point of sale information and in store demonstrations.

Fruit size in the Hawkes Bay region is smaller than in 2007 due to frosts experienced during spring. This will impact on the availability of large sized fruit in some markets.

The NZPLGA is holding a pre-season meeting in Hawkes Bay on 9 April. We are also looking forward to an industry meeting in Hawkes Bay on 22 April where the StarFruits team will provide updated information relating to the European market.

Update of the European season

At the end of March, the European Pink Lady market reminds very strong with always a high level of weekly sales. The growth of +10.000 tons of production has already been sold. The stock to be sale in April / May is exactly the same as it was in 2007. 80 % of the quantities have already been sold.

But with an highest rhythm of sale and a much more better quality than it has ever been in the Pink Lady European story (which could be one of the explanation of the good commercial situation!), European suppliers will have finished by the end of April / beginning of May with some shortage with some clients before the Southern Hemisphere arrivals.

In total, 76.500 tons of Pink Lady apples will have been sold by European suppliers into the Continental Europe and Ireland (91.500 tons including the UK).

Australia

The picking of the Australian Pink Lady crop has commenced in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia with Queensland and Western Australia to follow later in April. The fruit condition, colour and sizing are improved on 2007 in most areas.

South Australia and the eastern states experienced an extreme heat wave in early March but the growing conditions since then have been most favourable. The fruit is reported to be in good condition at harvest, however the optimal harvest window has been reduced in some areas.

New South Wales is experiencing one of the best quality seasons in many years.

The export program in 2008 will see a broader Australian supply base with fruit programmed to come out of Stanthorpe (Queensland), Batlow (New South Wales), Southern Victoria, Goulburn Valley (Victoria), Adelaide Hills (South Australia) and SW Western Australia.

The Australian domestic market for Pink Lady apples is expected to be strong again in 2008 and this will challenge the export program.

Publication date: 4/23/2008

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