Apple Bytes - New Zealand Apple Newsletter
Issue 4: 27 February 2008
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Royal Gala kicks off
- Similar volume to 2007 with 5.6m cartons
- Colour good
Early harvest of Royal Gala started last week, with the main volume starting picking this week.
Fruit quality is good, no sunburn and colour is excellent, with the first pick's coming into the pack-house averaging 60-65% colour. Royal Gala averaging 112# with our pack-house, following the size profile as forecasted by Pipfruit NZ.
| 60# | 70# | 80# | 90# | 100# | 110# | 120# | 135# | 150# | 165# |
| 0% | 1.3% | 5.5% | 12.8% | 19.9% | 19.4% | 18.8% | 15.0% | 6.0% | 1.1% |
Pipfruit NZ forecasted size profile 2008:
Royal Gala Prices were released last week for the first exports in week 08/09. The limit of large size fruit, and strong demand for counts 80#, 90# were reflected in high opening prices.
Prices in general opened higher than previous years, with increased freight, BAF and exchange rates directly contributing. The NZ Pipfruit industry and market panel are expected to hold these prices for as long as possible to ensure that growers are not adversely affected by these factors. It is important that returns are maintained to ensure continued development and sustainability for the NZ Apple industry and its growers.
Hence prices are not expected to soften and follow seasonal trends until around week 10.
Colour Split
We will be colour splitting Royal Gala this year into 50-70% and 70% up.
Please read information further showing pictures below.
 2008 NZ Apples in washer |
Prices
Prices for each variety expected 10 days prior to harvest. Please let us know your interest and we will endeavor to quote you as prices become available.
Meanwhile please see individual apple varieties below....
NZ Beauty – 10 February:
93,434 cartons, down 44.8%
NZ Beauty kicked off first with the majority of harvest around 10 February. Last year we had no NZ Beauty to offer, and it looks to be the same in 2008 with strong demand from the local market.
A small variety in New Zealand, we have packed already 50% of our pack-house volume at present, with 99% of it allocated to domestic market. Local market prices have been high, steady and returned well.
There may be some stock available to make mixed containers in the next 2-3 weeks. We will keep customers advised.
Royal Gala – 17 February:
|
|||||
 2008 70% up Colour |
 2008 50-70% Colour |
 2008 Difference between 70% up |
 and / 50-70% colour |
Red Delicious – 15 March:
Volumes expected to be slightly less to last year with under 170,000 tces. Red Delicious expected to harvest around the 15 th March. New Zealand only produces a small amount of Red Delicious.
Red Delicious was packed last season in 18kg for sizes 70,80,90 – and 20kg for sizes 100, 110,120,125.
There is strong demand from domestic market for Red Delicious. Last year most of our Red Delicious went to local market due to high prices. We will only have approximately 8 containers of Red Delicious allocated to export.
2007 Red Delicious
NZ Queen – 20 March:
Volume slightly Up 3.9%
Looked to be late, but latest indications are that it will be a normal season. A little russet expected, colour fantastic around 70%.
NZ Queen – harvest around 20 March. This variety accounts for 2-3% of the total crop. Some russet is expected on this year's crop, caused by the frost in December. Not much under 120# count – most of the small fruit was bagged and kept for local supermarkets.
2007 NZ Queen
Braeburn – 26 March:
5.6m cartons
Braeburn generally starts around the 26th March.
Approximately 10% will be allocated to C.A which will open early June. Volumes down due to frost – by 20% in the Hawkes Bay Region.
Average size forecast around a 105# count.
2007 Braeburn
NZ Rose – 01 April:
271,989 Cartons
So far NZ Rose looks to be clean, and colour good.
Size anticipated to average a 84# count and will be harvested in early April.
This season colour expected to average 60-70% at picking.
Size will average around 90# count. Hardly anything below a 120# count.
Packed in 18kg carton. Good volumes, but no over-supply, as local market will pick up any spare fruit.
2007 NZ Rose
NZ Granny –10 April:
Size Anticipated to average a 101# count.
Packed in 18kg Cartons. Last season most were smart fresh treated to enhance quality. Colour was good.
Average size approximately 100# count. Strong demand from USA for large counts 70,80,90. Smalls will be bagged from size #120 and down for local supermarkets.
2007 Granny Smith
 |
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| 2008 Reg Gala in Packhouse | Heat Treated Pallets | Apples entering packhouse |
Exchange Rate – The USD continues to weaken
Exchange rates continue to sit high, with the NZD$ strong against the US and it continues to hurt.
The US situation is not going to turn around quickly. News of weak consumer sentiment and manufacturing data saw the US fall further to 0.79+ on Friday. It is predicted to hit 0.80 in the coming months.
Shipping Lines
We will be using the services of Maersk and PIL shipping lines for the coming season.
Maersk uses Auckland as their primary port this season. Apple containers are shipped by feeder vessel from Napier to Auckland – exported from Auckland to all major trade lanes. This does not affect the shipping service, however it does have an impact on "close off" dates. This means that we must submit cargo 2 days prior for feeder vessel, and 2 days prior to export vessel from New Zealand – 4 days closeout. Hence it is imperative that we have orders at least 7-10 days prior to shipping for any Maersk vessels.
PIL this season continue to have a direct service from Napier.
Best Regards,
Denise
Disclaimer:
Information has come from a variety of sources and is largely summary articles. References are indicated. Where opinions are expressed they are of the writer, and do not necessarily represent the New Zealand Apple Industry. Fresh Fruits Company Ltd cannot be held responsible for damages which may be incurred as a result of any person acting upon information in this publication.