In marketing year (MY) 2023/24, higher than normal temperatures early in the winter and a slow accumulation of chilling hours caused a delay in the harvest, and subsequently a delay in export shipment, of most deciduous fruit. However, production and export volumes should catch up as the production season evolves. In MY 2023/24, due to a reduction in area planted, Post estimates table grape production and exports will total 630,000 metric tons (MT) and 480,000 MT respectively, a 3.3 percent decrease of both. In MY 2023/24 Post estimates apple production at 860,000 MT, a 1.1 percent decrease from MY 2022/23. Apple exports will decrease by 1.3 percent and total 463,000 metric tons. Pear area planted will decrease by 4.8 percent and total 200,000 metric tons. Subsequently, Post estimates pear exports to decrease by 4.7 percent and total 100,000 metric tons.
In MY 2023/24, Post estimates table grape production will decrease by 3.3 percent, totaling 630,000 MT due to a reduction in area planted (Table 1). Higher than normal temperatures and a slow accumulation of chilling hours during the winter of MY 2023/24 caused a delay in the harvest, and subsequently a delay in the export shipments. However, production and export volumes should reach normal levels as the production season evolves.
Table grape area planted has been decreasing for over ten years due to tight margins. Competition from other suppliers and the low price for traditional varieties such as crimson, flame, or red globe, among others, has pressured smaller table grape exporters to exit the market. Area planted decreased from 53,851 hectares in MY 2011/12 to 39,931 hectares in MY 2023/24.
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Source: apps.fas.usda.gov