Brazilian apple exports are expected to contract by 20 per cent to 85,000 tonnes in 2009 due to a reduction of export-quality fruit following hailstorms and humid weather conditions in the country’s three main apple-growing regions, according to the Brazilian Apple Exporters Association (ABPM).
“Growers recently started picking and the hail damage has been worse than expected meaning total exports will be down by at least 20 per cent compared with 2008,” ABPM chairman Pierre Pérès told Fruitnet.com.
Europe is expected to remain the main export destination, although it is unclear how the market will behave given the recession and higher stocks of European apples, while shipments to Russia are expected to fall. Conversely, volume destined for the Middle East and Asia is likely to rise.
“The expectation is Brazil will export the same volume of apples to the EU-27 but probably less to Russia in comparison to last year,” Mr Pérès explained.
“The additional volume will be transferred to other markets such as the Middle East and Asia. These two markets demand a lot of small-sized fruit which Brazil has to offer so the region presents very good opportunities for our Galas and Fujis this year.”
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