Pipfruit New Zealand today announced its apple and pear export crop estimate for the 2008 season. Total exports of apples and pears are estimated at 15.5 million 18kg cases or 279,000 tonnes, representing a decrease of 6% compared with last year’s crop of 16.4 million cases.

“This year’s reduced crop has been affected by spring frosts in Hawke’s Bay, our major growing district,” Chief Executive Peter Beaven said. “The most affected variety was Braeburn, which is down by nearly 20% from last year, from 6 million cases to 4.8 million. This gives us the lowest Braeburn volume for at least 10 years.”

“Since then we have had a very good growing season, with greater heat units than last year and enough rain to size the fruit nicely.”

New Zealand’s other major variety, Royal Gala, is showing a similar volume to 2007 at 5.6 million cases, or 100,000 tonnes. Major mover amongst the varieties is the ENZA controlled variety, Jazz, which is expected to double to nearly 800,000 cases. It becomes the fourth largest variety behind Royal Gala, Braeburn and Fuji.

The 2008 season also marks the rollout of Apple Futures, a $2.7 million three year initiative which aims to deliver fruit to market with no detectable residues. “The uptake from growers in year one has been exceptional,” Mr Beaven stated. “I am confident that the success of this programme will maintain New Zealand producers’ place at the head of low input - high quality technology. This programme confirms the New Zealand apple and pear industry’s commitment to develop sustainable growing practices.”

The other major feature of the 2008 crop is the increased commitment to organic production. “Already 10% of the land under apple and pear production is either organic or under conversion to organic, and I expect this to grow over the next few years in line with consumer demand,” Mr Beaven said.

New Zealand is accustomed to commanding premium prices in world markets due to its safe, sustainable growing systems, modern varietal mix and strong supply relationships in more than 60 countries.

Despite the frosts, the largest percentage of the export volume will still come from Hawke’s Bay, which is expected to supply 58% of the crop, at 8.9 million cases, while Nelson production will increase slightly to 5.5 million cases, or 36% of the national crop. Of the smaller growing regions, Central Otago is expecting to increase production by 16% to 442,000 cases, while the balance of the crop will come from Waikato, Gisborne and Wairarapa.