Europe:

Pears: While the European pear stock remains high, sales were faster. Conference achieved a good placement throughout Europe and Russia, while facing a dwindling supply of Packhams and less pressure from Italian Abate; price improvement was achieved. With Abate the situation improved slightly because there was a stock reduction due to the output of an important volume of products to the industry, the situation is equally complicated.

Regarding the imported pear from the southern hemisphere, volume has stayed below the amount in the previous two seasons (-37% in 2011 and -21% in 2010), Argentina is the country that has reduced the most, the amounts sent in a proportional way. Over all this reduced supply accompanies the biggest European offer, so that prices show a certain balance with last season; except for some varieties.

In Williams, Bon Chretien and Red Bartlett, the stock has been practically cleared up, maintaining stable prices, which are similar or slightly higher than those of last year.

In Packhams revenues remain low and lower than other seasons, having already been incorporated in the commercial offer, due to the end of the Williams offer. Sales are correct and stock is not being accumulated. Prices are firm and stable, and are slightly lower than in 2011 and 2010.

In Abate revenues are somewhat lower than in 2011 but higher than other past seasons, mainly oriented to the north of Europe, having improved sales in the last two weeks. This is so, because this variety starts to replace the Italian offer,
but prices remain low and lower than in past seasons.

Forelle started shipping earlier than in other seasons, from Chile and South Africa. Although they have been adjusted in recent weeks, the volumes that have come in are similar to those of last year. Sales are slow, stock is building up and prices
remain below previous years.

Apple: The stock, compared to the previous year is significantly higher, since that year´s production was low. If compared to other seasons it is below. Sales in the domestic market are normal, Polish exports to Russia are very active, reducing the opportunity for the rest of Europe, which finds possibilities in North Africa. The industry continues buying at a good pace, giving way to lower quality varieties especially those with lower demand.

Although, the situation is different depending on the variety: Golden, Jonagold and Granny have more difficulties, so to expedite sales price must be sacrificed, Fuji and Breaburn achieve an adequate end. Although Red and Elstar reduced somewhat their Output, it is expected not to have any difficulty in placement.

For apples from the southern hemisphere, the amounts that were imported are lower than previous years by about -30%, where all countries reduced their shipments, with the exception of Chile (which its decrease compared to 2011 is small and remains similar to 2010). Overall sales are slow due to the important European offer.

Concerning the behaviour by variety, Gala (and clones) sales are lower than other seasons, and there is still European Gala in the market, but since the supply is less, the situation is sustainable. Prices remain stable with some reduction for most smaller sizes and are similar to those of the previous two years.

Red shows a limited demand, but since supply is low, the market is balanced. The prices sustain themselves and are Similar to 2011.

In Granny there is little interest in demand due to high local stock, sales are slow and prices are below past seasons.

Behaviour in the Russian market:

Pear: The market is active and European pears, in particular Conference, achieves good positioning in the market with prices more or less stable, although somewhat lower than in previous years.

Southern revenues remain below those of last year. In Williams availability is limited and for those good quality lots prices had a slight improvement, being similar to those in 2011.

Packhams begin to increase their presence, although with limited quantities, prices are stable and similar to those in previous year.

Apple: There is good presence in Poland, having turned on the market just last week, allowing a slight improvement in prices.

The southern hemisphere offer continues to be low, sales are slow and prices arsomewhat lower than last season.

United States: 

Pear: A large inventory of local pears is kept, especially D'Anjou and B.Bosc. Demand is moderate, and wholesalers prices are stable. For the Barlett variety prices are superior to 2011 and for D'Anjou and Bosc below.

For imported pears: Williams´ import price, compared to last week, is stable and on average seems superior to 2011 and below 2010; for the same week. Wholesaler prices report to be stable but with a drop on small sizes; higher than in 2011 and less than in 2010.

Packhams: import prices are stable as in the previous week and similar to those in the previous two seasons. Wholesalers prices are also stable and intermediate to those in the two previous seasons. B.Bosc import prices are stable and below 2011 (similar to 2010), while the wholesale market, prices are lower than in previous seasons. D'Anjou situation is similar to B. Bosc.

The average price offered by major retailers, for pears during the week that just past were of USD 1.20 /kg for Williams, USD 1.27/kg for D'Anjou and USD 1.21/kg for B. Bosc.

Apple: Keeps up a good supply of local apples and demand is moderate, with increasing wholesale prices for Gala Granny, and stable for Red, still being higher than in the previous year.

For imported apples: Gala and Granny import prices are recorded stable compared to two weeks before and for Gala better than in 2011 (similar to 2010), while Granny values are similar to those of the previous two years. Wholesale prices for Gala register some increase and turn out to be intermediate values to previous years. Granny prices are stable, still higher than the previous two years.

The average price offered by leading consumer stores this week are USD 1.30/kg for Gala, USD 1.26 for Granny, USD 1.31 for Red and USD 1.30 for Pink Lady.