Sharp falls in Latin American harvests are set to drive down pome fruit production in the Southern Hemisphere this year, but this is not expected to have too much bearing on exports.

Granny Smith apples are set for one of the sharpest falls amongst different apple varieties.

Members of the World Apple and Pear Association's (WAPA) met during Fruit Logistica in Berlin on Feb. 5 to consolidate crop projections from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand and South Africa.

Following the meeting, WAPA has forecast a 2% drop in Southern Hemisphere apple production to 5.298 million metric tons (MT), but exports are set to go up 6% to reach 1.63 million MT.

In apples, the largest percentage falls are in line for Brazil (-4%) and Chile (-3%), which combined account for more than half of the Southern Hemisphere crop, while the volume outlook is more positive for South Africa (+2%) and Australia (+1%).

Golden Delicious and Cripps Pink are the only main varieties projected to experience an uptick in production in 2016, while Braeburn and Granny Smith are due for the sharpest falls at rates of 6% and 5% respectively.

In pears, production is set to fall 8% to 1.378 million MT, however exports will likely only decline 1% to 684,582MT.

Argentina is by far the leading grower and is also due to have the greatest crop reduction, dropping 12% to 716,000MT.

New Zealand is the only nation in the crop that is expected to have a higher pear crop this year, but it only has a tiny fraction of the total at 13,000MT.

In terms of varieties, Williams BC is set for the biggest drop at 22%, Beurre Bosc and Forelle will be down marginally at rates of 1% and 2% respectively, while Packham's T is due for a 5% uptick.

The WAPA release clarified that figures for Chile are provisional and will most likely change slightly over the coming months.

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