Southern hemisphere apple exporters must be careful not to upset the market balance once their season begins, European top-fruit sector representatives are warning.

The advice comes from Jacques Vanoye, president of the French Apples Marketing Commission, as the European crop approaches its peak harvesting window and southern hemisphere growers look to begin harvesting in February.

“The European market is balanced,” said Vanoye. “The euro is strong, but southern hemisphere exporters will have to be careful - a balance is a very fragile thing.” He said meetings with southern hemisphere representatives at Interpoma, in Italy last month had proven successful