Weather conditions for top-fruit production have mostly been favourable in South Africa. Rainfall has been plentiful and reservoirs vital for irrigation have been replenished. However, hail and wind damage in some localised areas is expected to have a slight impact on apple crop quality from those regions.

While exports are not forecast to rise, South African producers should benefit from increased competitiveness thanks to a further softening in the value of the rand.

The establishment last year of a joint marketing forum between producers, exporters and the government to better co-ordinate exports is also likely to have a beneficial effect.

The USDA report also refers to mildew infections in some pear production areas, which may slightly reduce crop volumes.

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