The South African pome fruit export campaign got off to a much earlier start than normal this year, with apple volumes expected to come in a little below 2013's record season. 

Around 33.9 million 12.5-kilogram equivalent cartons are due to be shipped from the country, putting it 25% higher year-on-year, but 900,000 cartons short of 2013.

Pear volumes will break the trend of annually rising volumes to come in at 15.8 million cartons, representing a 3% year-on-year drop.

Across both pome fruit categories, shipping volumes are expected to be 14% higher than last season.

"The pome fruit season started off 10-14 days earlier compared to last year and the exports of early Bon Chretien, Rosemarie and Flamingo are already well underway," the South African Apple and Pear Producers' Association (SAAPPA) said in a release.

"Overall the industry anticipates a normal export crop, with a recovery in apple export volumes to normal levels after the damage caused to the 2014 crop due to unfavorable climatic conditions.

"The reduction in 2014 export volumes was caused by hail affecting the Ceres and Langkloof production regions. Although the Langkloof once again experienced hail during late November 2014 the impact on national harvest is smaller, but the 2015 estimate is still lower than the record harvest of 2013."

The industry body said that as well as the absence of adverse weather, the increase in apple exports could be attributed to young orchards coming into production.

"Pear exports are anticipated to decrease with 3%, mainly due to less Bon Chretien pears expected to be exported given the EU market situation and the market options on smaller fruit," the release added.

"The congested EU market situation is a combination of large Northern Hemisphere stock volumes coupled with the Russian ban on imports from the EU."

At the beginning of December last year it was announced that South Africa had gained apple market access into China.

Exports were said to be able to commence as soon as Chinese quarantine officials had signed off on the orchard and export registration lists.

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