While Australian apple and pear growers have not historically looked to the now banned Russian market, the industry expects the fallout of the embargo on a range of countries will flow through to other markets and lead to an even greater importance on keeping quality.

In a release, Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL) market development manager Claire Fitchett said the country's growers were fortunate in that their fruit shipped internationally was of a very high quality and did not have direct competition.

"Australian-grown Pink Lady™ apples are known for their high colour and the premium eating experience they deliver while our pears are regarded internationally as a higher grade with a sweeter taste and better appearance," Fitchett said.

"As changes occur internationally in the global apple and pear trade, it is really important Australian apple and pear exporters keep focused on producing top quality fruit targeted at a high-end market.

"We simply cannot compete in the commodity space."

One country that competes heavily in the commodity space - and which had been the world's biggest exporter of apples prior to the Russian ban with the aims of keeping that position - is Poland.

"Russia is not an export destination for Australian apples and pears," Fitchett said.

"However, with Poland, a significant producer of apples and formerly a major supplier of apples to Russia now looking for alternative markets for its apples, it may mean more competition in the global apple trade.

The southern country produces just 0.8% of the world's apples, and registers Papua New Guinea, the U.K., Malaysia and Thailand as its main markets.

In pears, Australia produces 1.4% of the world total and the fruit mainly goes to New Zealand, Indonesia and Canada.

The APAL release highlighted Australia's geographic proximity to important export destinations across Asia, allowing for the country's pome fruit to be delivered fresher and faster to Asian retailers and consumers. Additionally, the fruit is counterseasonal to crops grown in Europe and North America.

While this means the fruit is not in seasonal competition with exporting countries banned by Russia, including the U.S. and Poland, improved storage technologies mean seasonal advantages are diminishing.

"Australia is only a minor exporter of apples and pears, with only 1 per cent and 5 per cent of total production respectively traded internationally," Fitchett said.

"However, the industry is keen to boost its exports to 10 per cent of marketable production within five years.

"We want to build Australia’s reputation for producing clean, green and safe fruit by supplying some of the freshest and healthiest apples and pears the world has to offer to high-value export markets."

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