A trend of upticks from Chinese production and lower volumes elsewhere defined the recent deciduous fruit report from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), covering apples, pears and grapes.

The June report, published by the department's Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS), said world apple production in the 2015-16 marketing year was forecast to increase slightly year-on-year to 76.9 million metric tons (MT).

The report said China's production continued to rise, up 2.1 million metric tons (MT) to 43 million on higher bearing acreage and favorable weather.

"[Chinese] Exports are forecast to surge 400,000 tons to 1.2 million on higher exports to Asian markets, particularly Bangladesh and Thailand, as improved production practices continue to boost competitiveness," the FAS said, adding China's increase would be largely offset by lower U.S. and EU production.

"Global trade is forecast lower driven by a downturn in demand from Belarus, Mexico, and Russia," the FAS added, mentioning that even though Russia had banned EU fruit it was still the world's largest importer of apples.

It was a similar story in pears with China driving growth while other key growing regions like the U.S., EU and Argentina declined.

"World pear production is forecast up 814,000 tons to 25.2 million on higher output in China where 75 percent of the world’s crop is grown and consumed. Global trade is forecast down as lower EU exports more than offset higher Chinese exports," the FAS said.

"China’s production is forecast up 1.0 million tons to 19.0 million on higher yields following favorable growing conditions in major producing areas.

"Exports are projected to continue rebounding, up 68,000 tons to 400,000 on greater shipments to Vietnam,
Thailand, and Indonesia. Imports are nearly halved to 6,300 tons on lower demand for product from the EU and the United States."

However, the most pronounced Chinese influence in the report was in the grape category.

"World table grape production is forecast to increase slightly to 21.0 million tons as continued growth in China is mostly offset by declines in Turkey and Chile," the FAS said.

"Global trade is forecast to contract slightly as lower exports by Chile, Turkey, and the United States only partly offset China’s record exports.

"China’s production is projected to surge 800,000 tons to 9.6 million on higher area and favorable growing conditions."

Chinese exports are forecast to rise 76%, up 97,000MT to a record 224,000MT on higher shipments to Thailand and Vietnam.

"[China's] Imports are forecast down slightly to 217,000 tons on lower shipments from the United States and Peru."

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