South Africa apricot shipments down in 2010/11

Shipments of South African apricots to the UK, Continental Europe and the

South Africa apricot shipments down in 2010/11

Shipments of South African apricots to the UK, Continental Europe and the Middle East have dropped by 22.3% through week 50, 2010 compared to the previous year, according to a report the South African Stone Industry association.

Leading the drop were shipments to the UK, which have reached 111,519 4.75KG cartons, a 52% decrease compared to last year.

Shipments to the main receiving market of Continental Europe have decreased by 11% to reach a total of 298,827 cartons.

The Middle East bucked the trend of declining shipments, growing by 7% to reach 113,089 cartons as of week 50.

Preseason estimates for apricots in 2010/11 predicted a 3% decline to all destinations for the whole of the season, which is wraps up the last week of the year, according to the report.

Middle East have dropped by 22.3% through week 50, 2010 compared to the previous year, according to a report the South African Stone Industry association.

Leading the drop were shipments to the UK, which have reached 111,519 4.75KG cartons, a 52% decrease compared to last year.

Shipments to the main receiving market of Continental Europe have decreased by 11% to reach a total of 298,827 cartons.

The Middle East bucked the trend of declining shipments, growing by 7% to reach 113,089 cartons as of week 50.

Preseason estimates for apricots in 2010/11 predicted a 3% decline to all destinations for the whole of the season, which is wraps up the last week of the year, according to the report.