A new report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has revealed that this year's New Zealand apple crop has increased 3.2 per cent in volume terms, up to 454,150 tonnes.
The increase is a result of a trouble free growing season in key production areas Hawkes Bay and Nelson, according to the USDA, with good sunshine levels and low disease pressure during the late season.
Crop quality is high this season, meaning that more fruit will go for export instead of processing – the volume of fruit to be processed is expected to fall 16 per cent to 105,000 tonnes.
Last year, approximately 9 per cent of the country's apple production area was certified as organic, with 2 per cent extra in the conversion process, up from 8 per cent in 2007.
Exports are forecast to jump 13 per cent on last year and hit 294,250 tonnes, with fruit shipped by the end of March 2009 running 11,000 tonnes ahead of the corresponding period in 2008.
In terms of key markets, the UK remains the top destination for New Zealand's apples, accounting for 17 per cent of exports – but it is falling in importance having imported 22 per cent in 2006.
Asian markets now account for a total of 23 per cent of exports, with North America taking on 15.4 per cent of apple exports, according to the USDA.
Meanwhile, pear production is forecast to hit 14,950 this season, a 5.5 per cent increase on last year, with exports expected to rise 19 per cent to 5,700 tonnes.
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