Argentina deciduous 2008 estimates

Here is the link to the new USDA FAS report on Argentina deciduous fruit for 2008. From the report:

Post estimates a total fresh deciduous fruit production of 1.84 million metric tons (MT) in CY 2008. That is a 6 percent decrease due to severe frost damage. According to industry sources, quality has also been affected by low temperatures during the winter of 2007. CY 2008 apple crop is forecast to decrease 9 percent to 990,000 MT as the yield of the most widespread variety, Red Delicious, is expected to drop 30 percent.

Fresh pear production for CY 2008 is estimated to have decreased to 700,000 MT. Decreases in both the Bartlett and Anjou varieties were not offset by the increase in the Packham variety. According to sources in the industry, CY 2008 will not be a very good year in terms
of volume and quality due to the effect of the frosts.

Table grapes production in CY 2008 is estimated at 150,000 MT. Table grapes production in CY 2007 totaled 140,000 MT. San Juan province produced 110,000 MT while the provinces of Mendoza and Rio Negro produced 8,000 MT and 12,000 MT, respectively.

Trade
Post estimates overall fresh deciduous fruit exports for CY 2008 to drop to 750,000 MT due to a shortage in supply of apples and pears.Apple exports in CY 2008 are forecast to decrease to 250,000 MT due to a poorer crop. CAJ exports are expected to fall as less fruit will be available for processors. Also, pear exports are expected to fall to 440,000 MT due to quality reasons. Fresh table grapes exports will not change from CY 2007 with volumes at 60,000 MT.

Pear exports in the first three months of CY 2008 decreased slightly to 250,000 MT. During Y 2007, the Russian Federation increased purchases from 50,000 MT to 64,000 MT, but exports to the United States plunged 40 percent as a result of shipping delays due to a pickers strike in the beginning of the CY 2008 season. In value terms, pear exports during the first third of CY 2008 increased to US$164 million due to higher international prices. Apple exports from January to March 2008 also decreased in volume to 80,000 MT (20 percent regarding Jan-Mar 2007). However, in dollar terms, these exports remained at US$55 million. The volume of table grape exports remained unchanged at 58,000 MT during the period from an-Mar 2008, while their total export value increased in this same period to US$71 million.In CY 2007, overall fresh deciduous fruit exports increased 11 percent with respect to CY 2006 to 796,000 MT. Fresh deciduous fruit exports for CY 2006 were 706,000 MT, 8 percent less than the 714,000 MT (US$383 million) exported in CY 2005. Total fresh deciduous fruit exports declined in CY 2006 in volume but not in value, which was US$401 million due to higher international prices.

On varieties....

Among the bicolor apples, only some Gala and Braeburn clones have succeeded in Argentina. Others like Fuji, Jonagold and Elstar did not adapt to the ecological conditions. Among the yellow apples, Golden Delicious is the classic variety. Although it adapted well to the Argentine production conditions, this variety has lost popularity due to market problems. Among the red varieties, Red Delicious is the most widespread variety in Argentina. Since it is sterile, this variety must be crossed with other varieties such as Gala, Fuji, Elstar, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Jonathan and Ozarkgold. In Argentina, many Red Delicious clones such as Starkrimson, Red Chief, Hi Early, Top Red Delicious, Oregon Spur, or Red King Oregon and Cooper 8, have been adopted. The second most important apple variety in Argentina is Granny Smith with 20 percent of the planted area. Among the most popular Pear varieties is the Bartlett variety covers 35 percent of the Argentine pear production followed by the Packham’s Triumph variety. Finally among the less important varieties are: Red Sensation, Red Bartlett, Beurré D’Anjou, Red Anjou, Abate Fetel (Abbé Fetel), Conference, General Leclerc , Forelle.