Hortgro forecasts suggest further increase in volume of both fruits to be shipped overseas in 2025.
South Africa is set to export 51.3mn cartons of apples and 21.1mn cartons of pears this season, a 5 per cent increase and 4 per cent increase respectively on the previous year’s volumes.
According to new forecasts issued by industry body Hortgro, the anticipated growth in apples is due to increased production from recently planted orchards, higher-yielding varieties, better weather conditions, and a recovery from hail and flood damage which occurred in 2023.
Last year’s apple export season ended on a high, with 48.6mn cartons (12.5kg) shipped overseas – an increase of 12 per cent compared with the season before.
For pears, meanwhile, cooler nights have apparently encouraged fruit growth and colour development, while mild daytime conditions mean “very little” sunburn has occurred thus far.
“The timing of the season is currently 7-10 days later compared to last season,” the group said, “although the overall timing of the season is seen as normal.”
Variety value
The bulk of the volume increase for apples is set to come from red bi-coloured apples such as Royal Gala and Gala (+6 per cent), Cripps Pink – branded as Pink Lady (+7 per cent), and Flash Gala – marketed as Bigbucks (+24 per cent).
The outlook for Cripps Red (Joya) is also positive, with its volume due to increase by 9 per cent thanks to “many new hectares” coming into production, and good fruit quality.
The pear export estimate includes a 7 per cent increase for both Forelle and Abate Fetel, plus a moderate increase of 2 per cent for Packham’s Triumph.
Output of summer pears such as Cheeky, Celina, Rosemarie and Sempre is expected to increase compared with 2024.
“Early Bon Chretien, Rosemarie, and Celina pears are currently being harvested, and the quality of the fruit is excellent,” Hortgro added. “In general, the fruit is clean with little wind marks so far.”
As for the Western Cape fruit industry’s long-running concerns about logistics, the organisation noted that state-owned operator Transnet has begun to replace and refurbish equipment and machinery at the Port of Cape Town, make improvements to contracting maintenance and related services, and employ additional staff.
“Productivity improvements are already being seen and much lower wind delays thus far,” it said. “As collective fruit industries, we continue to work closely with the Transnet management and will do everything within our reach to ensure a smooth logistical operation during 2025.”
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