Argentina’s apple and pear crops rise despite smaller production area

Argentina’s apple crop is estimated to be up to 530,000 tons and its pear crop is expected to rise to 580,000 tons from last year, despite lower planted area. In both cases, volumes are below average. Apple and pear exports are expected to be slightly up (100,000 tons for apples and 330,000 tons for pears). Domestic consumption is on the rise as the country slowly recovers from the latest economic crisis.

Winter and spring 2018 saw heavy rains, high humidity levels and hail storms. Although volumes should not be harmed, fruit quality and phytosanitary conditions are affected. Apple and pear production is mainly concentrated in the provinces of Rio Negro (85%), Neuquen (10%) and the Valle de Uco in Mendoza province (5%). According to Top Info Marketing S.A., the main apple varieties produced are Red Delicious (64%), Granny Smith (14%), Gala (13%), and Cripps Pink/Pink Lady (6%). The main pear varieties are Packham’s Triumph (41%), D’Anjou (24%), Williams (16%), Abate Fetel (6%), and Bosc (5%).

Patagonia’s Upper Valley has over 42,000 ha of organic-certified apple and pear production, which represents around 10% of total production of fresh apples and pears in the Upper Valley. Rio Negro province expanded its organic-certified fruit area by 64% in 2017/18, with 2,000-3,000 hectares apple and pear production.