Export volumes of pears and apples will see increases in 2011 compared with 2010, which saw a sharp decline in exports, according to preliminary estimates from fruit industry consultancy  iQonsulting.

According to the estimate, the only weather-related damage suffered was a result of frost in early October, which will affect pears more than apples, because their development was more advanced when the freeze hit. However new Gala clones and new pear varieties such as Forelle and Abate Fetel that are now commercially available will compensate in the overall volume.

In all, Chile’s exports should be close to 132,000 tons of pears and 869,000 tons of apples, which means a 15% and 4% increase year over year, respectively.

The pear harvest will start as soon as week 52 or 1, with early varieties such as Coscia and Summer Bartlett.  The final shipments of the 2010 season for apples continue, heading principally to other Latin American countries.

Source: iQonsulting/www.freshfruitportal.com