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Strong apple, pear and kiwi deal forecasted
Chile
Saturday 03 November 2007
Southern hemisphere exporters of apples, pears and kiwis could be in for a strong 2006-2007 season if the US and Europe draw heavily from their neighbours over the equator during the next several months.
That is the opinion of Manuel Alcaino, Director of Chile-based Decofrut, which provides market information and quality control services to the international fresh fruit industry.
"Stocks of stored fruit in both the US and Europe are significantly lower than in previous years which makes for good prospects for southern hemisphere fruit in general," he said.
He added: "The biggest competition for southern hemisphere apples, pears and kiwis is the domestic fruit that has been grown in our target markets like the EU and Europe, and stored.
"The prediction is that we are heading for a very good season. We expect to see some increases."
Adding to the speculation is the fact that the deals exported by other players such as New Zealand and South Africa have been adjusted. This means that Chile as well as its neighbour Argentina could take a bigger market share as these countries reorganise their fresh fruit exporting sectors.
Most Chilean apples and pears are shipped in March and April, but the season lasts until July/August. Meanwhile, most Chilean kiwis have been shipped by the end of May.
In 2005-2006 apple and kiwi exports increased by 11.3 percent and 8.3 percent respectively, while exports of pears drop slightly, by 1.4 percent.
Taken together, apples and kiwis account for almost half of Chilean overall fresh fruit shipments.
According to figures from the FAO Index of the United Nations, Chile represents 49% of the southern hemisphere's fresh fruit exports. The figures are based on grapes, apples, kiwis, avocados, plums, peaches, and pears.
That is the opinion of Manuel Alcaino, Director of Chile-based Decofrut, which provides market information and quality control services to the international fresh fruit industry.
"Stocks of stored fruit in both the US and Europe are significantly lower than in previous years which makes for good prospects for southern hemisphere fruit in general," he said.
He added: "The biggest competition for southern hemisphere apples, pears and kiwis is the domestic fruit that has been grown in our target markets like the EU and Europe, and stored.
"The prediction is that we are heading for a very good season. We expect to see some increases."
Adding to the speculation is the fact that the deals exported by other players such as New Zealand and South Africa have been adjusted. This means that Chile as well as its neighbour Argentina could take a bigger market share as these countries reorganise their fresh fruit exporting sectors.
Most Chilean apples and pears are shipped in March and April, but the season lasts until July/August. Meanwhile, most Chilean kiwis have been shipped by the end of May.
In 2005-2006 apple and kiwi exports increased by 11.3 percent and 8.3 percent respectively, while exports of pears drop slightly, by 1.4 percent.
Taken together, apples and kiwis account for almost half of Chilean overall fresh fruit shipments.
According to figures from the FAO Index of the United Nations, Chile represents 49% of the southern hemisphere's fresh fruit exports. The figures are based on grapes, apples, kiwis, avocados, plums, peaches, and pears.
