Despite challenging climatic conditions , the initial pome fruit crop estimate anticipated a 5 % growth in export volumes

affected by a combination of drought and heatwave conditions .

Current volumes in storage , combined with exports to date , led to the downward adjustment for pome fruit export cartons . The newly calculated volumes indicate a decrease of between -6% and -9% compared to the previous season ( refer to Table 1 ).

initial projections . The decrease in export volumes of Williams Bon Chretien ( -5%) is due to smaller fruit size , good demand from the canning industry , and a lack in demand from the northern hemisphere importing countries . Packhams Triumph ( -4%), Abate Fetel ( -14%), and Vermont Beauty ( -19%) are also down compared to last year . Conversely , export volumes of

— mainly due to new orchards coming

A decrease in export volumes

Forelle are in line with the previous season .

into production .

of Golden Delicious ( -11 %), Granny

A tough season in terms of grower

However , as the harvesting season

Smith ( -20 %), Pink Lady ( -29 %), and Fuji

returns and profitability levels is anticipated

progressed , the industry realised that

( -16 %) can directly be attributed to

as a result of the strengthening of the rand

the anticipated volumes are not going

weather conditions impacting on colour

against the major currencies ( US dollar , UK

to materialise since fruit size in general

development , fruit size , and pack-outs .

pound sterling , and euro ), in combination

and pack-out of fruit on trees have been

Pear export volumes are also down on

with the decrease in export volumes .

CLA

Apples

34 740 044

27 127 687

33 063 328

34 063 266

33 563 297

31 001 460

-3 061 806

-9%

Pears

15 832 419

16 248 989

15 360 718

17 775 364

16 568 041

16 796 977

-978 386

-6%

Total

50 572 464

43 376 676

48 424 046

51 838 630

45 900 361

47 798 437

-4 040 192

-8%