World Apple Situation

 

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE

 

Apple production continues to increase in 1999/2000

 

Total apple production in selected Northern Hemisphere countries in 1999/2000 is forecast at 43.3 million metric tons, up 3 percent from the previous year’s bumper output. The increase mainly reflects larger apple crops in China and in some major producing countries of the European Union (EU), such as France and Italy. On the other hand, U.S. apple production in 1999/2000 is forecast 8 percent below the record 1998/99 crop.

 

China’s apple production in 1999/2000 is forecast at a record 20.8 million tons, almost half the Northern Hemisphere total apple crop. China has become a major producer of deciduous fruits in recent years. Economic liberalization policies, high domestic prices during the1980's and early 1990's, and the lack of reliable information on the world supply-demand situation, prompted a wide campaign to replace some production of traditional crops with massive planting of deciduous fruit trees. Apples are the main fruit produced, accounting for 35 percent of an estimated 55 million tons of deciduous fruit output in 1999/2000. Moreover, Chinese apple production has increased more than 700 percent in the last 20 years and now accounts for more than 30 percent of world apple production.

 

The total EU apple crop in 1999/2000 is forecast at 9.1 million tons, the largest ever. Italy, accounting for a quarter of the total EU 1999/2000 apple production forecast, has become the largest EU producer, surpassing France for the second consecutive year. Italian apple production has become more and more concentrated in the Trentino-Alto region, which now produces nearly 60 percent of the Italian apple crop. Red and Golden Delicious varieties account for more than 60 percent of total Italian apple production.

 

The U.S. apple production forecast for marketing year 1999/2000 (July-June) has been revised up slightly to 4.8 million metric tons, but still 8 percent below last season's record output. Apple production in Washington state, the largest U.S. apple producer, is forecast at 2.3 million tons, down almost a quarter from last season’s record crop of 3.0 million tons. The smaller 1999/2000 Washington state apple crop, combined with ample supplies of good quality fruit have improved U.S. apple prices from the very low levels registered during the 1998/99 season. In 1999/2000, Washington state will likely account for less than half the total U.S. apple crop, compared to more than a 55 percent share in 1998/99.

 

Apple exports in 1999/2000 will likely remain unchanged from the previous season’s shipments

 

Apple exports from selected countries in the Northern Hemisphere in 1999/2000 are now forecast at 3.1 million tons, unchanged from last season’s shipments. Lower exportable supplies in the United States will likely offset improved export prospects for the EU. The EU, mainly France and Italy, and the United States account for about 60 percent of Northern Hemisphere countries’ apple exports.

 

The U.S. 1999/2000 export forecast has been decreased 14 percent to 550,000 tons, down 18 percent from last season’s shipments. A much smaller Washington state apple crop, higher export prices, and ample exportable supplies in the EU are hampering U.S. apple shipments this season, mainly from the Pacific Northwest.

 

 

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE

 

Southern Hemisphere apple crop smaller in 1999/2000

 

Apple production in selected countries of the Southern Hemisphere in 1999/2000 is forecast at 4.3 million tons, down 6 percent from last season’s output. Smaller crops are expected in the principal southern producing countries of Chile and Argentina.

 

Argentine apple production in 1999/2000 is forecast at 1.0 million tons, 22 percent below the 1998/99 bumper crop, due to adverse climatic conditions. Hail storms and late frosts in November and early December in Rio Negro and Neuquen, especially around Rio Colorado, have hampered Argentina’s overall apple output this season. Argentina’s apple production is located in Rio Negro (75 percent), Neuquen (15 percent), and Mendoza (10 percent).

 

Chilean apple production in 1999/2000 is forecast at 929,200 tons, 8 percent below the 1998/99 record output, mainly due to unfavorable weather during the spring. Chilean apple producers continue to diversify their orchards by planting new and more popular varieties such as Fuji, Gala, Jonathan, and Braeburn. However, Red apple varieties still account for about 70 percent of total output and are mainly for the European and Middle East markets. The principal green variety, Granny Smith, is used both for the fresh export (mainly Europe and the United States) as well as for concentrated apple juice production.

 

Southern Hemisphere apple exports to decrease in 1999/2000

 

Apple exports from selected countries in the Southern Hemisphere in 1999/2000 are forecast at 1.4 million tons, 3 percent below last season’s shipments. The two largest apple exporters in the Southern Hemisphere, Chile and New Zealand, are expected to decrease exports.

 

Chile’s apple exports in 1999/2000 are forecast at 510,000 tons, down 5 percent from last season. A smaller apple crop will likely hamper Chile’s apple exports in 1999/2000. Red apple varieties account for about two thirds of Chile’s apple sales overseas, although the share of sweet varieties, such as Fuji, is increasing.

 

New Zealand’s apple exports in 1999/2000 are forecast at 306,000 tons, down 3 percent from shipments in 1998/99, due mainly to lower exportable supplies. Braeburn represents about 60 percent of total New Zealand apple production and 40 percent of its total apple exports. The United States, Canada, and the EU are New Zealand’s major apple customers.

 

(For information on production and trade, contact Samuel Rosa at 202-720-6086. For information on marketing contact Sonia Jimenez at 202-720-0898.)

Last modified: Wednesday, February 20, 2002