WAPA Releases Southern Hemisphere Apple & Pear Crop Forecasts

Representatives of key apple and pear producing and exporting countries from around the world met on 8 February 2013 at the recent FruitLogistica fair in Berlin for the annual general meeting of the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA). During its annual meeting WAPA elected Mr Peter Beaven (Pipfruit New Zealand – New Zealand) as its new president replacing Kevin Moffitt (USA Pears – USA) who chaired the association for the last two years. At the same occasion, Mr Daniel Sauvaitre (ANPP – France) was elected as the new vice-president of WAPA.

WAPA released in Berlin its annual consolidated crop forecasts for the forthcoming southern hemisphere apple and pear seasons (see tables below). Collected from industry groups in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand and South Africa, the forecast showed that the 2013 apple and pear Southern Hemisphere crops are expected to reach 5.468.000 MT and 1.520.000 MT, respectively. For apples, this represents a small increase of 1% on the 2012 crop; while forecasted export figures also increase by 4% to 1.667.369 MT. For pears, also a small increase of 2% on the 2012 crop is recorded while forecasted export figures are expected to be 5% higher at 749.821 MT.

For Apple & Pear production data charts, pelase click here: http://wapa-association.org/docs/2013/Press_release_WAPA_AGM_8.02.13.pdf

About WAPA

WAPA was founded in August 2001 with the objectives of providing a forum for discussion on matters of interest to the apple and pear business and initiating recommendations to strengthen the sector. The current President of the Association is Kevin Moffit of USA Pears, while Peter Beaven of Pipfruit New Zealand is Vice-President. WAPA membership includes the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Scandinavia, Slovenia, South Africa, the UK, Ukraine and the USA.

Source: World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA)