South Hemisphere pear and apple crops are expected to see modest production increases and a rise in exports for the 2013 season, the World Apple and Pear Association reported.

Apples are forecasted to reach 5,468,000 MT, for a year-on-year increase of 1%. Exports for the crop are expected to reach 1,667,369 MT for a 4% increase.

Pears will also rise modestly to 1,520,000 MT at a 2% increase. Exports are forecasted at 749,821 for 5% growth.

Data for the forecast was collected from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand and South Africa.

Chile and Brazil take the top forecasted production spot for apples at 1,627,000 MT and 1,270,000 MT respectively. Chile is, however, also expected to see the greatest drop in production, down 8% from 2012. The decline continues the Chilean trend of shrinking apple output since 2009.

The South American nation is contrasted by New Zealand which anticipates 9% growth.

Argentina ranks the highest for pear output at 828,000 MT and 3% growth. New Zealand had the lowest output for the evaluated nations at 10,000 MT but the greatest growth at 11%

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