World Apple and Pear Association reviews latest market information on apples and pears

Leading representatives of the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA) met on Thursday 2 August in Vilnius, on the eve of the opening of the Prognosfruit conference. The Association reviewed a number of important issues for the international apple and pear sector.

The Association welcomed the increased transparency in the data sharing between sector representatives from both Hemispheres and underlined the reliability of the data on market development.

Up to week 29 738.745 T of apples have been shipped from the 5 leading Southern Hemisphere exporting countries into the EU. Chile represented 31% of this volume, New Zealand 23%, South Africa 18%, Brazil and Argentina 14% each. In the meantime, the USA and Canada imported 176.687 T from the same Southern Hemisphere countries. With regard to pears, the EU imported some 284.000T of pears from the Southern Hemisphere out of which 45% came from Argentina, 38% from South Africa, 16% from Chile and 1% from New Zealand. In the meantime, the US and Canadian market imported 83.816 T.

According to Pierre Peres (ABPM – Brazil), President of WAPA, the Southern Hemisphere season should terminate at the earliest to avoid overlapping and secure a soft move between fruit from both Hemispheres. It was noted that residual stocks from the Northern Hemisphere still remain in store while the EU crop is expected to be on average anticipated by two weeks compared to previous year.

The meeting also reviewed the latest findings of the research undertaken by members in regard to maturity criteria and their relationship with fruit size. Alessandro Dalpiaz, (Assomela - Italy) Vice-President of WAPA stated: “Studies that we have undertaken in various countries for several years demonstrate that there is a significant correlation between size and sugar content. Consumer research also underlines that fruit size is related to the overall perception of quality.

Philippe Binard Secretary General of the Association reminded: WAPA already reached a consensus in 2005 to support a status quo in regard to size of apples supplied on the EU commercial market, while acknowledging that other markets such as Asia might demand smaller size”. WAPA calls officials from the EU as well as UNECE and CODEX to take into account the industry point of view while discussing marketing standards.

The meeting also reiterated the concerns of growers regarding the delay in the EU MRL harmonization, the phase out of important active substances for specific use, as well as the proliferation of non regulatory requirements by major European retailers and discounters. It also lamented that efforts undertaken by producers with GAP/integrated crop management schemes are not sufficiently taken into account and call retailers to taken these schemes into account as well as to adhere to official MRLs which are trading limit and have been fixed within strict safety margins. “These important topics will remain on the WAPA agenda in the coming months to find satisfactory solutions” noted Frederic Rosseneu, Food safety Advisor at the WAPA secretariat. He also added: The meeting reviewed the latest developments regarding carbon footprint labeling and the impact for the international apple and pear sector.

WAPA delegates also exchanged information on the latest promotional activities undertaken by members. Jacques Vanoye (Section National Pomme - France) confirmed: France, Italy and the Netherlands are soon launching a large promotional programme on the EU market to stimulate the frequency of apples consumption among the lowest consumers categories in these 3 countries. The 3 years programme is worth 11,4 Million €. Finally, WAPA undertook an in-depth analysis of the trends for the pear sector in major producing countries including the USA, Italy, Spain, Greece, France, Portugal, Belgium, The Netherlands, South Africa and Argentina.

Pierre Peres concluded: WAPA has already achieved a lot in the last 5 years of its activities and the meeting of today indicated the willingness of members to interact and network on an ever wider range of issues. I particularly welcome this positive spirit of cooperation among the members as it strengthens the Association and the sector as a whole”.

Publication date: 8/7/2007

respond to this article    print

Receive the daily newsletter in your email for free | Click here

 

<< back | www.freshplaza.com