Apple and Pear Industry Association of New Zealand (nzapi) said apple production this season is expected to be slightly higher than 347700 tons, or 19.3 million cases. The export volume is expected to decrease by about 14% compared with 2020 (by 3 million cases). As a result, the organization said that the value of New Zealand's apple exports this year may be lower than that of the previous quarter, about 95 million to 100 million New Zealand dollars (about 443 million to 466.3 million yuan).
According to the prediction made by nzapi in January this year, the total apple production of New Zealand in this quarter is 55867 tons, 5% less than that in the previous quarter; the export is expected to be 374751 tons (20.8 million cases), 7% less than that in 2020. On this basis, the latest expectation has been lowered again.
Another decline in production forecasts reflects labor shortages in Nelson and Central Otago, as well as the impact of hail. In addition, the average size of harvested apples was smaller than originally expected, which was also one of the factors of yield reduction.
"As harvest approaches peak, we are increasingly aware that we cannot achieve the initial forecast," said Alan Pollard, chief executive of nzapi. "Despite our best efforts to attract new zealand employment, the labor force required for orchard and our post harvest operations is still far from sufficient. In addition, the average size of fruit is smaller than we predicted. "
"Because the size is smaller than we expected, the supply of large apple is in short supply, but the quality is still very good, and the color of the fruit is also very good," Pollard said. "New Zealand enjoys a global reputation for reliability, stability and quality, including 2021. Our main market demand is strong, but the interruption of international shipping and port congestion may still bring challenges.