The crop forecast completed in February estimated Class 1 Pink Lady apples at approximately 70,000 tonnes, 12 per cent down on 2021. With the Pink Lady apple harvest well underway and complete in many regions, there is a strong sense that Class 1 tonnes of Pink Lady will be significantly less than originally forecast.
While a revised forecast is still being completed, growers and packers are advising that Class 1 tonnes may be more like 20 per cent down on 2021. Based on these estimations, the Class 1 tonnes would be approximately 64,000 tonnes, in line with 2019 (65,000 tonnes) and 2020 (63,000 tonnes).
Growers and packers are still recovering from the disastrous bin returns from 2021 and are looking for improvements in 2022. APAL CEO Phil Turnbull said: “The volumes from 2021 are just not there this season so, assuming stable demand, we expect stronger wholesale prices in the market.”
For more information: apal.org.au