Drought slashes apple, pear exports
The drought has slashed apple exports by 9%, says fruit industry body Hortgro. Pear exports are down 6% on last year. Now there are fears about the 2018 season as temperatures remain high and rainfall low.
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"We might run into trouble if it doesn't start raining soon and a lot," said Hortgro's Jacques du Preez. "The ongoing drought will have a negative knock-on effect on next year's crop. The degree just has yet to be determined, but the trees have taken stress."
A decrease in export volumes of Golden Delicious (down 11%), Granny Smith (20%), Pink Lady (29%) and Fuji (16%) apple varieties was because of the weather, Hortgro said.
"As soon as they started packing the fruit we realised, in general, the volume was smaller," said Du Preez.
The Far East is the leading export market so far this season, having received about a third of exports. Volumes are up 10%. - Dave Chambers
Source: The Times