Stone fruit production in several countries in the northern hemisphere has been badly affected by a harsh winter that brought freezing temperatures and heavy snowfalls.
According to a recent report, compiled by the United States department of agriculture, shows that the output of seven stone fruit producing countries is expected to fall, due to the effects of a devastating winter in the northern hemisphere. This could result in a relatively empty global market for South Africa's stone fruit exporters and competing countries.
The report claims numbers are expected to fall by as early as 31 December 2020 for the northern hemisphere. The northern hemisphere will be drawing to a close in Nov/Dec 2020 and start again in about May 2021. Affected countries include China, Spain, Italy, Greece, France and the US.
A decline in European production could be great for the local industry, says Jacques du Preez, manager of trade and markets at the deciduous fruit grower's organisation Hortgro.
Foodformzansi.co.za quoted him as saying: "A decline in European production will potentially have a positive effect on us. We of course produce counter-seasonally and there is normally a slight overlap when the European season ends and ours start. So, a relatively empty market will help our season.”
A decline of over 600,000 tonnes is forecasted for the EU. A significant drop from the over 4 million tonnes they expected to produce this year. In China, a decrease of 500,000 tonnes from 15.5 million tonnes is expected due to heavy snowfalls in April which affected major peach growing provinces. Industry leaders believe the drop will likely affect the country's overall stone fruit production.
