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Superb quality of new Zealand apples and pears in current season
New Zealand
Wednesday 13 June 2007
As the apple and pear harvest draws to a close and early fruit arrives into market, exporters are delighted at the response from customers at the quality of NZ apples.
"This season our fruit is eating superbly," said Peter Beaven, Chief Executive of Pipfruit NZ. "Our apples have the highest brix and best texture for some years and our major customers have been prepared to pay us a considerable premium over other Southern Hemisphere origins."
Volumes exported to date are very similar to the previous two years. Last year to the end of April pipfruit exporters had shipped 129.000 tons. This year at the same point, 122.000 tons have been shipped. Surprisingly, Royal Gala appears down on pre season estimates, with only 66% shipped to date compared with 75% at the same time in 2006.
Initial pricing for Royal Gala in Europe and USA is similar to last year with early variety Cox's Orange Pippin being slightly ahead.
Asian markets have also seen good prices and demand for the Pacific series of apple. Suspension from the Taiwan market has caused a hiccup for the popular Fuji variety. Many packers are delaying Fuji packing to see if the suspension is lifted in time for a resumption of trade this year.
NZ was expecting to export 299.000 tons of apples and pears this year, an increase of 11% on 2006. Chief Executive Peter Beaven says it is too early to predict whether that volume will prove accurate. "With less than half the fruit shipped at this stage, we can't make a call on total volume yet. However with the eating quality we are supplying I am confident of good demand and prices for the rest of the season."
"This season our fruit is eating superbly," said Peter Beaven, Chief Executive of Pipfruit NZ. "Our apples have the highest brix and best texture for some years and our major customers have been prepared to pay us a considerable premium over other Southern Hemisphere origins."
Volumes exported to date are very similar to the previous two years. Last year to the end of April pipfruit exporters had shipped 129.000 tons. This year at the same point, 122.000 tons have been shipped. Surprisingly, Royal Gala appears down on pre season estimates, with only 66% shipped to date compared with 75% at the same time in 2006.
Initial pricing for Royal Gala in Europe and USA is similar to last year with early variety Cox's Orange Pippin being slightly ahead.
Asian markets have also seen good prices and demand for the Pacific series of apple. Suspension from the Taiwan market has caused a hiccup for the popular Fuji variety. Many packers are delaying Fuji packing to see if the suspension is lifted in time for a resumption of trade this year.
NZ was expecting to export 299.000 tons of apples and pears this year, an increase of 11% on 2006. Chief Executive Peter Beaven says it is too early to predict whether that volume will prove accurate. "With less than half the fruit shipped at this stage, we can't make a call on total volume yet. However with the eating quality we are supplying I am confident of good demand and prices for the rest of the season."
