THE WORLD APPLE AND PEAR ASSOCIATION

On the occasion of its Annual General Meeting in Fruit Logistica, the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA) has released the Southern Hemisphere apple and pear crop forecast for the upcoming season. According to the forecast, which consolidates the data from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa, apple and pear production is set to increase by 5.58% and 1% respectively compared to 2022.

On Friday 10 February 2023, the World Apple and Pear Association held its Annual General Meeting. During the Meeting, which took place during Fruit Logistica in Berlin, WAPA presented the Southern Hemisphere apple and pear crop forecast for the upcoming season. This report has been compiled with the support of ASOEX (Chile), CAFI (Argentina), ABPM (Brazil), Hortgro (South Africa), APAL (Australia), and New Zealand Apples and Pears, and therefore provides consolidated data from the six leading Southern Hemisphere countries.

Regarding apples, the aggregate Southern Hemisphere 2023 crop forecast suggests an increase of 5.58% to a total of 5.130.168 T compared to last year (4.859.026 T). All countries expect a larger apple crop except for Australia (-8% compared to 2022, to 290.000 T). Argentina’s production is forecasted to increase by 24%, reaching 525.000 T. Chile remains the largest producer (1.410.000 T, in line with 2022), followed by South Africa (1.220.000 T, +2%), Brazil (1.150.000 T, +12%), New Zealand (536.000 T, +7%), Argentina, and Australia. With 1.893.000 T, Gala remains by far the most popular variety, with its production expected to increase by 6% compared to 2022. Exports are also expected to increase (+5.21% compared to 2022) to reach 1.685.704 T. Chile remains the largest exporter (604.000 T) followed by South Africa (560.291 T), with both countries reporting figures in line with 2022. Exports from New Zealand (364.726 T) and Argentina (84.000 T) are expected to increase by 8% and 31% respectively. Brazil’s exports are expected to recover from the low 2022 figures to reach 70.000 T, while Australia’s exports (2.687 T) are 1% below the 2022 figures.

Regarding pears, the Southern Hemisphere growers predict a slight increase in the crop (+1%), which will reach 1.348.650 T. Argentina and Chile are expected to increase their production by 4% and 2% respectively. South Africa’s production levels are forecasted to be stable, while both Australia’s and New Zealand’s pear crops should decrease by 16%. Argentina remains the largest producer in the Southern Hemisphere (592.000 T), followed by South Africa (506.000 T), Chile (170.000 T), Australia (72.000 T), and New Zealand (8.000 T). Packham’s Triumph remains the most produced variety (488.000 T, with a slight 1% increase compared to 2021), followed by Williams´ bon chrétien pears (342.000 T). Export figures are expected to increase by 4% compared to 2022 to a total of 698.994 T, mainly because of a 12% increase in Argentinian exports.

European apple stocks stood at 4.051.645 T as of 1 January 2023, which is 6% lower than 2022. The total of 648.071 T for European pears is 1.9% below the figures from the previous year. Stock figures were also lower in the USA, with apples decreasing by 4.1% (to a total of 1.604.469 T) and pears decreasing by 2.2% (to a total of 168.353 T).

During the Annual General Meeting, Dominik Woźniak (Society for Promotion of Dwarf Fruit Orchards / Rajpol - Poland) and Jeff Correa (Pear Bureau Northwest – USA) were confirmed as WAPA’s President and Vice-President. Finally, the Annual General Meeting also confirmed that Prognosfruit will be held in Trentino, Italy, on 3-5 August 2023. More information about the event will soon be announced on the Prognosfruit website (www.prognosfruit.eu). 

**ENDS**

CONTACT: Mr Philippe BINARD / Mr Gil KAUFMAN – WAPA –  www.wapa-association.org

WAPA was founded in August 2001 with the objectives of providing a forum for discussion on matters of interest to the apple and pear business and initiating recommendations to strengthen the sector. The current President of the Association is Dominik Woźniak (Society for Promotion of Dwarf Fruit Orchards/Rajpol - Poland) and the current Vice-President is Jeff Correa (Pear Bureau Northwest - USA). WAPA membership includes the following countries and areas: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, China, France, Germany, Italy, Moldova, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Scandinavia, Slovenia, South Africa, Ukraine, the UK and the USA.