New Zealand: Lowest export volume in 20 years for Braeburn

The export volume of the Braeburn apple from New Zealand probably won't reach 3 million colli this year, reports fruchthandel.de. Viewing the record volume of 2005, when around 8 million colli of this apple variety was exported, the decrease of the export volume is huge.

"This year we'll probably export the lowest amount of Braeburn apples in 20 years from New Zealand", according to Tony Eissette, company leader of Enzafruit Continent. He expects the export amounts to decrease more in the coming years and will stabilise around an export volume of 2.5 million colli. "New Zealand still supplies good Braeburn apples and the best growers will remain." The apple variety is making place for new varieties like Kazz and Envy more and more often. This season there are clearly smaller amounts available in total for the European market. "The apple supply from the whole southern hemisphere is very tight this year and many New Zealand growers prefer to supply to the USA or to Asia due to the unfavourable exchange rate between the New Zealand dollar and the Euro."