War in the Middle East has dramatically altered export routes for apples
Sector | Fruit (top)
Riaan Strydom – Bokmakierie Farm
Fresh Langkloof pears, apples into storage as Middle East war unfolds
German BLE week 10:
'Increasing South African imports are putting pressure on European pear prices'
China's garlic exports rebounded, with strong market demand and slightly lower prices
Ukraine prepares to export apples to India after trial shipment
South African grape and stonefruit exports delayed in Middle East
Italy's Assomela:
"Apple shipments are now arriving, and the main ports are fully operational"
"Stocks are still relatively high, while sales remain slow"
Warm, dry weather lifts New Zealand apple and pear harvest productivity
India–U.S. trade deal sets apple import quotas and minimum price
Bert Morren, Fruitbedrijf Morren:
“We may be heading for a turn year in apples”
U.S. apple storage down four percent over March 2025
Claude Coureau, CTIFL
A national day to support the revival of the French pear sector
Fruit shipments from Argentina resume via Uruguay’s Montevideo port
Chinese apple output exceeds 51 million tons with rising exports
Middle East conflict delays South Africa apple, pear and stone fruit exports
Moldova exports 11,000 tons of apples in February
New Zealand exports most apples, half of avocados
Profitability report - March 2026:
Apple producers unprofitable while pistachio growers remain profitable
Australian apple campaign targets snack market with ads and sampling
Mozambican demand grows for Zimbabwean produce
Middle East tensions slow apple supplies to Hyderabad
Belize fruit and vegetable prices shift, with watermelon down 23.5%
Middle East unrest puts pressure on Belgian exports
“Everything is currently on hold, so we will have to refocus”
Ukrainian apple prices rise as export challenges persist
"Indian consumers are becoming more knowledgeable and selective about the varieties they buy"
Georgian apple exports reach 4,100 tons worth US$3.1 million
Azerbaijan increases exports of hazelnuts, persimmons, and apples in January 2026
In the past two years, California lost 800 acres of pears
National Retail Report - Specialty Crops 6 March
U.S. retail ads highlight spring produce, grapes rise, oranges fall
U.S. Northwest organic sector grows, but processing capacity lags
Project partners on the success story of the new apple brand Pompur:
"We specifically address apple allergy sufferers, their families, and conscious connoisseurs"
China dominates with over half the share, importers now eye Southern Hemisphere origins
“Bangladesh's imported apple market has a lot of room for growth”
Lerouge Natuurlijk introduces fizzy ciders
“Germany, Italy, and Austria are already further ahead, but fresh sparkling juice still has strong potential here”
Hans Leibbrandt, Monfrut:
"It's been an extremely difficult season for Chilean cherries"
"Future of trade with Iran depends entirely on the duration and resolution of the current conflict"
Vietnam becomes key market for Washington Cosmic Crisp apples
Blocked sea routes and unpredictable additional costs
War in the Middle East: spring export campaign of Italian apples at risk
Australian Profit program supports six PhD projects in apple and pear research
Sarah McCormack - Te Mata:
"Being the first IP variety available from NZ has meant our customers have been able to achieve higher prices"
Maine lawmakers urge USDA relief for blueberry, potato, and apple growers
Northern Hemisphere apple and pear stocks - February 2026:
European apple stocks rise 12.5%, pear stocks 15.5% y-o-y
Weather conditions have made it hard to find good-quality apples in Poland
"We intensified inspections among the growers"
Early end of the season anticipated for Ontario apples
U.S. study links berries, apples and citrus to higher well-being
“Bio4Life positioned for international growth as EU compostable label rules take effect”
Keith Butterworth - Worldwide Fruit:
“There is a high volume of Conference pear in the market available from both the UK and Benelux"
British apple supermarket sales data - Feb:
Aldi and Lidl lead UK supermarket sales of British apples in Feb 2026
TR Turoni technology (Italy)
Assessing fruit quality to enhance revenue
California growers report pressure from imports, costs, and buyer consolidation
“We are weighing imported apple price gains in India against war risks”
Jorge Yavar C., Exportadora y Servicios Rucaray
Early start to the 2026 Chilean pear season
Heavy snowfall in Japan damages orchards and greenhouses
Ukrainian apple retail prices climb to €1.38/kg
Altes Land:
"Good sales, producer prices still under heavy pressure"
German cold storage company Plattenhardt + Wirth GmbH celebrates its 60th anniversary
"Continuous strong demand for cold storage construction in the regional pome fruit sector"
National Retail Report - Specialty Crops 27 Feb:
Retail produce ads dip 3% as grapes lead fruit promotions
Belarusian apple producer harvests despite spring frosts and invests in new storage capacity
Manfredi, director of the Opera Consortium:
“Italian pears available for a couple more months"
"The market did not accept the high prices that were in place"
Mark Vernooij, Urfruit:
"Picking time for Conference pears continues to weigh on the season"
Marcelo Galardini, Patagonian Fruits S.A.:
Argentina started the pear season with lower output but better quality
AMI expert Ursula Schockemöhle on the apple market:
"Record stock levels in Germany pose a considerable challenge for marketing"
German BLE week 8:
'Availability of Spanish oranges was somewhat limited'
Hortgro assesses stone fruit trade in Johannesburg informal market
Hail and wind reduce top fruit estimates in Langkloof and Ceres
China cultivates 51 million metric tons of apples annually
Neutral ENSO supports New Zealand harvest outlook
Gerard Kenens, VerKen Bio Deli-Vers:
"Earlier start for Natyra due to higher volumes, but you do not leave a good apple unsold"
Edible coating and labelling reduce plastic and extend shelf life
Ariel Sabbag, of Emelka S.A.
"Every year we use up our pear stocks, and we are really short of fruit"
Fredy Masterson - Fern Ridge Fresh:
"The first containers are now enroute to mainland China"
Jo Lambrecht and Xavier Martin launch Lagache FreshCo export company
“With a strong company behind us, we expect to build a successful export operation”
Mobile crate washing service for wooden and plastic storage bins meets growers’ needs
“Every grower wants to start the new harvest with clean crates”
In 2025, Italy's REV Packaging Solutions exported 70 per cent of its total
From Oceania to Europe, mono-material packaging is winning approval
New Zealand apple yields improve in Hawke’s Bay for 2026
Uzbekistan and Serbia sign agreements on horticulture and seed development
South Africa advances ARC-bred fruit cultivars to market
“South Africa loaded 4x apple volumes to India in 2026”
Agroecology: Soon to be a differentiating factor in international trade?
Apple fiber helps fend off colon cancer and more
Expanded Orchard Buddies line introduced ahead of strong summer outlook
The European Commission updates the MRLs for various pesticides starting this year
South Korean apple growers file climate damages suit against Kepco
Moldovan apple stocks fall to 100 thousand tons
Uzbekistan becomes Russia’s largest supplier of fresh grapes and raisins in 2025
Kazakhstan eyes exports of Almaty Aport apples following interest at Grüne Woche
Canadian falcon drones tested for bird control in Australian orchards
Azerbaijan’s pomegranate exports fall, apple shipments increase in January 2026
"Current season is the worst season that has been seen in the last 50 years"
California apple industry mourns passing of long-time member
South Kashmir almond area declines as growers switch to apples
India and New Zealand launch horticulture working group
Penny Reidy - South Australian Produce Market
Despite the heat, SA apple growers happy with first picking
Year-round fruit program top of mind at SEPC
Hugo Jacobs, Jacobs Fruit:
"Challenging organic apple season, but sales now picking up"
German BLE week 7:
'First Minneola oranges from Israel expected in week 8'
Himachal apple growers await US$0.74m in unpaid dues
Canada streamlines apple exports to Mexico with cold treatment update
Australian study shows solar shading lowers pear yield but cuts damage
Justine Quéraux, La Blottière :
“We are restarting French cultivation of the Abate pear.”
South African exporter welcomes Chinese tariff cuts, urges broader reform
Simon Easton - Wairepo Holdings:
"We need some warm days and cold nights to finish off the crop"
Lack of processing imports impacts Michigan apple supply
La Unió
"It's been an irregular persimmon season marked by the incidence of pests"
South African zero tariffs to China hinge on phytosanitary protocols
Study highlights environmental performance of British apples
Pear shipment returned to Belgium over missing phytosanitary certificate
ANPP calls for the creation of water reserves
"The floodwaters have not yet started to recede"
Shifting trade dynamics may support Polish apple concentrate exports
Indian apple growers pressured by rising U.S. imports
Polish pear market under pressure as exports and prices weaken
South African agricultural exports reach US$15.1bn in 2025
Mark Trzaskoma - Battunga Orchards
Shopper education the answer for Australian apples
Demand for Polish apples increased after small dip in 2025
"We expected similar volumes, but we were positively surprised"
Apple of India’s eye: Europe’s reliability takes a big bite
South African apple and pear harvest starts earlier than usual
“We’re working on the development of a new apple variety, suited to be grown worldwide”
Uzbekistan expands intensive orchards and vineyards under 2024–2025 development programme
“Despite tariff cuts on U.S. and NZ apple imports into India, we await a firm date”
Week 7 Fruit Wholesale Market Report:
Prices rise ahead of the holiday, with cherries and cherry plums leading gains in the first half of the week
National Retail Report - Specialty Crops 13 Feb:
U.S. retail ad volumes rise 6% during seasonal demand
Jammu and Kashmir CA storage holds 60% of apple crop volumes
UK Supermarket sales data - January 2026:
Value retailers overperform in January British apple sales data
Belgian wholesaler builds 25 workers' houses among orchards
“Pears are popular, but quality issues are driving prices down”
Ireland studies consumer demand to boost domestic apple production
Lemonade apples to hit store shelves on East Coast