India fresh apple imports rose over 70 percent in the first 9 months of marketing year (MY) 2023/24 (July 2023 – June 2024) compared to the same period last year and are forecast to reach a record 510,000 metric tons (tons). Apple consumption in India continues to rise as the population grows and demands healthier foods. Domestic production is estimated to increase slightly, but demand for higher-priced imported apples continues to grow as there is limited infrastructure to move lower-quality domestic apples from the north of the country to other regions of India.
Imports from Iran have nearly doubled so far in MY 2023/24, accounting for much of the overall increase in India apple imports. Prior to MY 2019/20, Iran consistently accounted for less than 10 percent of imports but has risen to over a third of all imports. India put in place a minimum import price for apples in May 2023 to counter downward pressure on domestic prices from low-cost Iranian apples entering India through Afghanistan to avoid tariffs. For more information on the minimum import price, read the Fresh Deciduous Fruit Annual Report – 2023 from FAS Post in New Delhi, India. However, Iran apples still provide an affordable option in a price-sensitive market, as evidenced by the continued growth in market share. The Iranian government placed an export duty on apples in March 2024 due to low domestic supplies and high prices, which may slow shipments in coming months.
Fresh apples
World apple production for MY 2023/24 is forecast to rise more than 700,000 tons to 83.7 million, as increases for the United States and China more than offset losses for the European Union and Turkey. Exports are projected up 10 percent to 6.0 million tons on higher shipments from the United States and Iran.
China production is estimated to grow 500,000 tons to 45.0 million despite declining area planted as growers increase yields in existing orchards. Exports are estimated up nearly 100,000 tons to 870,000 on higher shipments to Vietnam, Philippines, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Imports are forecast down 10,000 tons to 85,000 on lower shipments from Southern Hemisphere suppliers.
EU production is estimated to contract 475,000 tons to 12.2 million on cold temperatures and poor pollination across major producing countries. Exports are expected to decline by 65,000 tons to 970,000 on lower production and weaker demand from top market Egypt due to a foreign currency shortage. Imports are forecast up more than 15 percent to 265,000 tons as higher shipments from North Macedonia, Moldova, and Serbia supplement domestic consumption.
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Source: apps.fas.usda.gov