Volume Of New Zealand Apples For Export To Remain Low

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) projects that apple exports will be “far below levels previously expected,” despite forecasting a rise in apple exports in the 2021-2022 marketing year (MY) compared to the previous year, FreshFruitPortal.com reported.

Photo Insert: New Zealand apples

The apple export estimate for this calendar year is 375,000 metric tons. Although up 5 percent from last year, it is still 7 percent down on the record 2019-2020 MY. Apple production for the 2022 season is anticipated to stand at 553,000 metric tons (MT.)

This is 6 percent lower than 2019-2020 and only 3 percent higher than the 2020-2021 estimate.

Similar to 2021, this year’s production and export volumes are likely to be considerably lower than before the pandemic started. Exports had been rising for three consecutive years until 2021 when the lowest export volume since 2016-2017 was recorded.

Going into 2022, both labor shortages and unprecedented weather conditions continue to lead to smaller yields. New Zealand's COVID-19 restrictions introduced international border closures which have restricted the entry of Registered Seasonal Employer Scheme (RSE) workers and backpackers needed for fruit picking.

In addition, there have been Omicron outbreaks among the staff, resulting in home isolation.

Moreover, Hawke’s Bay, the major production area for apples exported in New Zealand, saw apple picking start two weeks late this year as a result of heavy rainfall. The lack of workers makes increased picking, which would usually solve the problem of a harvest delay, unlikely.

The USDA also reported that “shipments last year followed the long term pattern of declining New Zealand exports to Europe and the United Kingdom and a shift towards Asian markets.”

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