Apple Bytes - New Zealand Apple Newsletter
Issue 1: 19 December 2007
Intended for Recipient Only.
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Merry Xmas and Happy New Year
We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Xmas and Happy New Year. Little has changed since our last month's newsletter for NZ Apples. We will provide an update for the New Year in January – when the crop profile is released.
Frost - Hawkes Bay volume down by estimated 20-25%
The Hawkes Bay region experienced frost affecting Braeburn and some other early flowering varieties. Growers won't know the exact impact of the frost until late January when Pipfruit New Zealand will announce the estimated crop profile.
At this stage talk seems to be, that volumes from Hawkes Bay will be down between 20-25%, with mainly Braeburn affected. Last year was the biggest crop of Braeburn to be exported over 5.8m cartons and while Hawkes Bay growers feel the recent loss of Braeburn, the reduced volume may be a blessing in disguise for the industry.
Final figures not clear until January, but it is our estimation that crop will be down on last year, sitting around 14.5-15.0m cartons.
2007 NZ Apple exports by variety
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NZ Beauty – 10 FebruaryNZ Beauty is the first variety to kick the season off. Harvest around 10 February – a few weeks before Royal Gala. This is a very small variety by volume in New Zealand with only 87,000 t/e's. It is estimated that approximately 50% of the volume, will be consumed on the local market. NZ Beauty is currently on local supermarket shelves – colour is good. Last year we had no NZ Beauty to offer. |
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Royal Gala – 17 FebruaryRoyal Gala is expected to begin with early season supply starting on ??. First exports loaded out from the 17th February onwards – just as last season, with the main export volume starting the following week. |
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Red Delicious – 15 MarchRed Delicious expected to harvest around the 15th 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. |
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NZ Queen – 20 MarchNZ Queen – harvest around 20th March. This variety generally accounts for 3% of the total crop. Colour generally sits around 60-70%. Crop for 2007 had very little russet and fruit looked clean. Not much under 120# count – most of the small fruit was bagged and kept for local supmarkets. |
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Braeburn – 26 MarchBraeburn generally starts around the 26th March. Approximately 10% will be allocated to C.A which will open early June. Volumes down to frost – figures to be announced, 50-20% early estimates from Hawkes Bay Region. Average size in 2007 ran around a 105# count. Colour averaged 40% up, and quality was good. |
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NZ Rose – 01 AprilNZ Rose harvest in Early April. Colour was exceptionally good 2007, fruit was very clean with very little russet. Strong demand from Asian markets. Anything that was flowered that didn't drop with the frost may form Russet. We will not know until end of January. 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. |
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NZ Granny –10 AprilPacked 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. |
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We will be using the services of Maersk and PIL shipping lines for the coming season.
We look forward to hearing from you.
US Apple Market – Additional Information
US Gala, Granny Smith, Red Delicious available. Small sizes continue to be tight, with prices leveling out. Packers who were cheaper 2-3 weeks ago are now raising prices. Tacoma/Seattle Ports are tight for space with Christmas approaching.
Gala supply is tight. It is safe to say they will not have to work to sell the balance of the crop. In fact they are trying to price Gala's so that people will stop buying – can you believe that! The reason being that they have all year local supply and retail chain commitments, and they cannot afford to run out of stock. Galas are peaking at 88-100 Size WXF1#.
Grannys are peaking on size 80/88 Premium, and all the demand is for 100#'s and smaller. Growers are trying to balance this supply, and make sure they don't sell too many 100's as they will need them for local supply contracts.
Red Delicious is starting to get easier, but still no small sizes. Peaking on 72/80/88 Premium. Many packers didn't know how short the crop and sizes were until last week. Now we are seeing packers raise their prices to come in line with others.
Overall there has been so much demand and so much volume shipped already that the remainder of the season will be very easy. The momentum will carry growers into the spring without a problems. The US volumes is down, but total exported to date is up compared to last season.
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.