Report Highlights:
The Argentine fresh deciduous fruit crop for Calendar Year (CY) 2006 is expected to increase to 1.88 million metric tons (MT). Total exports are forecast to decline to 660,000 MT, as exporters will be more cautious sending their produce only to well known markets. Domestic consumption is expected to increase to 360,000 MT, as a result of more fruit available due to a better harvest and fewer exports.
Section I. Situation and Outlook
Production
Fresh deciduous fruit production for calendar year (CY) 2006 is forecast at 1.88 million metric tons (MT), a two-percent increase compared with the CY 2005 harvest.
Planted area in both Mendoza and the southern valleys has changed over the years, according to new data from the census of Rio Negro province.Planted area to pears has increased while apple planted area shrank considerably.This is the result of a market driven conversion of the old and traditional Red Delicious apple orchards to Bartlet pears and Gala apples.