The Southern Hemisphere apple harvest is expected to experience an uptick in both total volume and exports, according to estimates from the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA).

The data collected from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand and South Africa forecasts a total apple crop of 5.6 million metric tons (MT), up 4% over 2013. Exports were forecast to grow even more, by 6% to 1.8 million MT.

Pears, in contrast, are expected to experience a 5% drop in volume to 1.5 million MT and a 3% drop in exports to 724,864MT.

Chile will likely continue to lead as the top Southern Hemisphere apple producer, with WAPA calculating 1.87 million MT from the South American nation, representing a 15% increase over 2013.

Brazil, coming in second for volume, is also expected to grow by 12% to 1.2 million MT.

New Zealand shows the least favorable apple forecast, with a 10% decline down to 495,000MT.

Gala represents the largest apple variety with 1.7 million MT, but output for the variety is expected to be down by 2% year-on-yaer and down 5% compared to the three-year average.

Apple varieties expected to experience the strongest growth are Granny Smith, up 22% to 891,000MT, followed by Fuji, up 13% to 730,000MT.

For pears, Argentina takes the top spot for volume, despite a decline of 8% compared to 2013. The nation is set to produce 794,000MT.

Pear volumes from the next largest producer, South Africa, are also forecast to decline 5% to 346,000MT.

New Zealand is expected to experience the largest dip, with a 17% drop, down to 10,000MT.

Production of the top pear variety, Packham's Triumph, should to grow 4% to a total 522,000MT. The next largest variety, Williams, was expected to drop 14%, down to 489,000 MT.

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