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Australian pear, apple crops to suffer from drought
Australia
Monday 09 July 2007
Drought and late frosts are expected to see Australia's production of apples and pears at its lowest in a decade, suggests a new report.
Production of apples in 2007 is forecast at 205.000 metric tons, down 20 per cent from the previous year level, according to recent figures from the US Foreign Agricultural Service.
As a result, apple exports for the year will be at the lowest level in over a decade (around 7.000 tons) with reduced availability of apples suitable for export.
Meanwhile Australian pear production for 2007 is forecast at 120.000 tons down sharply - also about 20 per cent - from the previous year. Drought, frosts and some isolated hails events have diminished anticipated pear yields, said the report.
Pear production is likely to be hit particularly hard by reductions in irrigation water availability, as a large percentage of Australia's pears are reliant on irrigation water.
Pear exports for 2007 are forecast at 5.600 tons, down sharply from the 7.000 recorded for the previous year. Reduced availability of pears suitable for export will likely see exports fall in CY 2007.
The decline is expected to see imported pears from China reach 4.800 tons in 2007, a historical high. Year-to-date figures for January to October show imports have already increased by more than 20 per cent. Meanwhile pear exports for the year to date area down by around 25 per cent.
Production of apples in 2007 is forecast at 205.000 metric tons, down 20 per cent from the previous year level, according to recent figures from the US Foreign Agricultural Service.
As a result, apple exports for the year will be at the lowest level in over a decade (around 7.000 tons) with reduced availability of apples suitable for export.
Meanwhile Australian pear production for 2007 is forecast at 120.000 tons down sharply - also about 20 per cent - from the previous year. Drought, frosts and some isolated hails events have diminished anticipated pear yields, said the report.
Pear production is likely to be hit particularly hard by reductions in irrigation water availability, as a large percentage of Australia's pears are reliant on irrigation water.
Pear exports for 2007 are forecast at 5.600 tons, down sharply from the 7.000 recorded for the previous year. Reduced availability of pears suitable for export will likely see exports fall in CY 2007.
The decline is expected to see imported pears from China reach 4.800 tons in 2007, a historical high. Year-to-date figures for January to October show imports have already increased by more than 20 per cent. Meanwhile pear exports for the year to date area down by around 25 per cent.
