May 3 2007, 09:50

Apple and pear production may grow in the Southern hemisphere in 2007

Fructidor International informs that the forecasts of apple and pear production in 2007 prove that apple production can grow 9%, pear production can grow less than 0.1% comparing to 2006 in the main producer countries of the Southern hemisphere (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chili, New Zealand and Southern Africa). According to the source evaluations, apple production may reach 4.48 mln. tons, pear production may increase up to 1.36 mln. tons. Apple production will decline 1%; pear production will grow 7% comparing to the average annual data.

The analysts of ""Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" journal" inform that the countries of the Southern hemisphere supply considerable volumes of produce to the markets in Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine mostly imports citrus fruits and bananas; Russia purchases a broader assortment of fruits. The harvesting of apples and pears starts in March-April in the Southern hemisphere; so, the exporters of the mentioned countries have an opportunity to supply newly harvested fruits these months, exactly when the owners of storages run out of stocks of apples and pears in Russia.