This volume is the result of a drop in sales abroad, compared to the 2011 season. This difference is due to two well-defined variables: a lower harvest and lack of competitiveness to place exports in certain overseas markets.
This figure, USD 134 million, is very important for the sector, which will reach a total of USD 450 million through foreign sales this year.
Apples were the most affected. Up to September 30th, about 119,000 tons were exported. A volume that reflects a fall of around 42% compared to data reported in 2011 and the lowest sales value in recent years.
The low exports of apples determined a drop of around USD 64 million in foreign exchange earnings to the country.
As for pears, foreign sales reached 367,600 tons, 20% less compared to 2011.
In value, the export supply resulted in sales just over USD 367 million, meaning that it fell of about USD 70 million, in absolute values, in relation to the previous season.
Brazil was the main destination for Argentine pome, with imports close to 155,000 tons. In the same period of last year our main partner in Mercosur had bought 181,000 tons of pears. The cause of this major decline in apple sales: so far
2012 production totaled 19,500 tons, after experiencing a slump of 54% over last season. Part of this scenario was due to the restrictions imposed by the neighboring country to Argentine exports in response to trade barriers imposed by the Secretary of Commerce of the Nation, Guillermo Moreno.
The second most important destination is Russia. More than 125,000 tons of top fruit was exported this season, figure that showed a 25% fall compared to the consolidated shipments of last year. Most of these exports are different varieties of pears, with 95,000 tons delivered and distributed between Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Prices on the rise
The average price of pears and apples declared by the fruit export companies to Customs (FOB) amounted to USD 891 per ton in the first nine months of the year. This represents an increase of approximately 5% compared with the average FOB value recorded in the same period of last year.
Senasa's data shows that apple prices experienced a year on year growth of
6%, while pears increased at a rate of 3%.
Among the markets where our apple got the best quotes (always talking about values declared FOB) are Brazil with a notional amount of USD 963 per ton (14% higher than last year), France with USD 955 per ton (13% less than the previous season), and Netherlands, with USD 910, representing an increase of 8% compared with 2011.
Source: Rionegro.com.ar