No fireworks but a good, steady crop for South African apples and pears is anticipated for 2019
The early forecast for South African apples and pears combined has predicted a modest 3 per cent increase on last year’s drought affected crop.
While apples are expected to grow by 5 per cent compared with last year, the pear crop is anticipated to come in on more or less the same level as last year.
If this forecast materialises during the first few weeks of the harvest, South Africa could once again export more than 50m cartons of apples and pears.
Hortgro said that good rains during the winter of 2018 brought relief to many growers. “Although the drought has not been completely broken, growers are in a much better position compared with last year,” Hortgro stated.
Read more on Fruitnet.