GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW APPLES

Meanwhile, exporters in the Southern Hemisphere are navigating rising production costs, shifting export opportunities, and strong international competition. New crop estimates point to lower production for some varieties in Chile, while Argentina continues to deal with hail damage. In North America, imports are supporting supplies ahead of the new season, and Australian growers remain focused on premium export markets in Asia.Italy: Stocks continue to declineThere is widespread satisfaction with the way the spring apple season has progressed in Italy. The season is expected to conclude in the coming months, with hopes for positive geopolitical developments. Despite market conditions that slowed the sales of certain varieties, Italian apple sales in May were generally satisfactory. Red Delicious and Gala were the exceptions, as both varieties had already sold out, as expected. Red Delicious had a particularly strong season, with inventory levels down by more than 50% compared with previous years.Sales of other varieties, including Cripps Pink and the newer club varieties, are progressing as expected. This is in line with the gradual increase in production and stock reduction plans aimed at ensuring year-round product availability. The high quality of the fruit provides confidence for the remainder of the season. Golden Delicious recorded a total stock reduction of 442,565 tons, broadly in line with the three-year average. The marketing of organic apples is also continuing positively and in line with forecasts.According to YouGov data, 84% of Italian households purchase apples. Purchase frequency has remained stable, while average spending per purchase has increased slightly. At the same time, the quantity purchased per transaction has declined slightly, suggesting that households are managing their spending by buying smaller volumes. From a seasonal perspective, the period between October and May records the highest number of households purchasing apples. Supermarkets remain the main retail channel for apple purchases, followed by discount stores, which have maintained a stable market share over time, and hypermarkets.Poland: Stable demand as season concludesAs the final stretch of this season's apple season got underway, there were no major surprises during the past month. Market developments were largely in line with earlier expectations, with stable, although not exceptional, demand. The last batches of apples were sorted, and exporters steadily worked through to the end of the season, which concluded around mid-June. Interest in apples has not disappeared, but demand has clearly slowed.At the start of this month, several European countries were still taking good volumes, although apples have now begun competing with other seasonal fruits. Western European countries still had domestic apples available at the beginning of June, but Polish exporters nevertheless shipped some volumes to these markets. However, exports were lower than at the same stage in previous seasons. There are also reports of growing interest from southern European countries.Netherlands: Apple market remains under pressure"The apple market has been under considerable pressure this season, with lower prices following the high yields achieved per kilogram," says a Dutch top fruit trader.Apple cultivation in the Netherlands has declined steadily in favour of pears. While apples were grown on around 12,000 hectares in 2000, the planted area had fallen to just over 5,000 hectares last year. Elstar and Jonagold remain the country's main apple varieties, with most Dutch apples sold on the domestic market.The last apples from controlled-atmosphere storage are expected to be marketed in July. According to the trader, however, apple quality has become an increasing concern in recent years.Belgium: Storage stocks remain a concernThe current Belgian apple season is drawing to a close, but it has been a challenging one, according to a Belgian trader. The market has remained under pressure throughout the season due to weak price formation, with prices often falling below production costs. At the same time, substantial volumes remain in storage, raising questions about whether all stocks can be marketed before the new harvest begins.The outlook for the coming season also remains uncertain. Spring brought local hailstorms that are expected to affect apple quality in particular. Some growers report damage to more than half of their orchards. Damaged apples recover less well than pears, meaning part of the crop may be less suitable for the fresh market. Other European production regions have also experienced weather-related issues, making it difficult to estimate overall European availability at this stage.A lower harvest due to weather damage could help improve the balance between supply and demand and support prices. However, much will depend on weather conditions in the coming months and final harvest volumes. Growers who have been less affected remain cautiously optimistic, while noting that the apple market needs to strengthen structurally to maintain profitable production.Germany: Stable market with domestic applesDomestic storage apples continued to dominate the German market. Although availability declined slightly, supplies remained sufficient to meet demand. Elstar, Braeburn, and Jonagold were the leading varieties. Imports from Italy consisted mainly of Pink Lady, Golden Delicious, and Granny Smith, with South Tyrolean Bonita also available. France supplied the club varieties Jazz and Pink Lady primarily, both sold exclusively in pre-packed form.The market was characterised by stable prices, good quality, and steady sales. Overseas apples from Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa played only a limited role due to their higher prices.Austria: Frost expected to reduce harvestStock reduction continues to progress in Austria under favourable market conditions, and a smooth transition to the new harvest in late summer is still expected. Golden Delicious and Gala remain the dominant varieties in Styria, the country's main apple-growing region, alongside club varieties such as Tessa and Kronprinz. Kronprinz was available through May for the first time this season, with quality remaining consistent until the end of the marketing season. Although prices were low across all varieties, they were still regarded as acceptable, particularly on the domestic market.Following last year's large harvest, the 2026 crop is expected to decline by up to 25% to 30%, mainly due to severe frost damage across large parts of Styria. According to one trader, frost events of this magnitude every two years place many medium-sized farming operations under increasing pressure and threaten their long-term viability.France: Sales slow as summer beginsDemand for apples is typically lower at this time of year as the stone fruit season gets underway. The current heatwave has also encouraged consumers to opt for more refreshing fruit such as watermelons. In this market environment, club varieties such as Pink Lady and bagged packaging formats continue to attract consumers.Overall, however, trading activity has slowed as the heatwave and the approaching school holidays weigh on demand for fresh produce.Switzerland: Organic apple stocks declineOrganic apple stocks in Switzerland fell by 1,259 tons during May 2026, leaving approximately 1,573 tons in storage at the end of the month, according to BioSuisse and swisscofel.Stocks were around 888 tons lower than at the end of May 2025, but approximately 1,338 tons higher than in May 2024.North America: Imports support supplyApple supplies on the West Coast remain strong, with ample volumes of varieties such as Honeycrisp available across Washington State. Supplies of Red Delicious and Gala are tighter this year due to the smaller crop and steady movement throughout the season.Apple supplies from eastern producing states are tightening, with Michigan expected to run out ahead of New York. However, Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, McIntosh, and Red Delicious remain in good supply.Imports have also been underway for approximately four to five weeks, primarily from Chile and, to a lesser extent, New Zealand, particularly for organic apples.Pacific Northwest apples are expected to remain available until the transition to the new crop begins in August, with a smooth transition anticipated.Demand remains steady, with continued strong interest in premium varieties such as Cosmic Crisp. Honeycrisp and Gala also remain among the strongest-performing varieties in the category. While movement varies by variety and market, overall demand remains healthy.In the eastern U.S., demand for processing apples and juice continues to be strong.South Africa: Delayed exports and rising costsThe first half of South Africa's apple export season has been challenging. Exports to the UK and Europe started approximately one month later than usual due to domestic carry-over stocks, particularly a large British Royal Gala crop.One of the main concerns for South African apple exporters is the 50% tariff on apples exported to India, a market where South African pears, subject to a 30% tariff, have found favour. Another concern is the continued rise in input costs, an issue every season but even more pronounced this year. According to one exporter, it now costs twice as much to ship apples to the Middle East. In addition, damage to the electricity infrastructure in Ceres has, hopefully temporarily, forced apple farms to rely on diesel generators to power packhouses and cold rooms.Despite widespread flooding and hail damage, the exporter expects South Africa's 2026 apple exports to exceed the 2025 crop. The initial estimate stands at approximately 54 million 12.5 kg cartons.On the domestic market, which relies entirely on local production throughout the year, the average apple price is €0.50 and is expected to increase next week. The last cultivars, including Cripps Pink/Pink Lady and Cripps Red/Sundowner, are currently being harvested.Australia: Premium focus in AsiaWith the harvest now complete, Australian growers are marketing their crop. In Asian markets, Australian apples are positioned as a premium product. One grower said they launched their new club variety just in time for the Dragon Boat Festival, when gift-giving, including premium fruit, is common in China. Another grower said they had achieved only limited success in exporting to Asian markets because their primary focus remained the domestic market, leaving insufficient scope to develop a premium brand. They also noted that Australian apples cannot compete on price with fruit from other suppliers.The season has progressed well despite some weather-related challenges, and the fruit is large and tastes good. Although orchardists cannot respond quickly to changes in demand, growers are planting additional blocks in anticipation of continued growth, as apples, particularly new varieties, continue to sell well.Chile: Export estimate revisedThe second official crop estimate projects apple exports of 529,494 tons. Gala remains the leading variety with 247,849 tons, unchanged from the previous estimate, while Pink Lady production is expected to decline by 15% and Fuji by 30%.Regional differences have been pronounced, with northern production areas experiencing colour development issues, while southern orchards have benefited from cooler temperatures. In India, competition from South Africa and New Zealand remains strong, with import tariffs of 50%. The industry's strategic response continues to focus on varietal renewal to improve yield, fruit colour, and flavour.Argentina: Hail reduces premium supplyThree hailstorms in October caused damage to orchards and infrastructure across several production regions. As a result, the season has been characterised by an abundance of second-grade fruit and a shortage of premium-quality apples, contributing to slow sales and a domestic market affected by the country's economic recession.Apple exports are expected to reach approximately 40,000 tons, compared with 140,000 tons in 2013. Brazil and Russia continue to absorb varieties such as Rosy Glow, although export volumes remain relatively limited. Production costs continue to be the industry's main challenge when competing with Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa.Next Topic: CherriesPublication date: Fri 26 Jun 2026© FreshPlaza.com / Stefan Jansen van Nieuwenhuizen