The World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA) used its AGM at Fruit Logistica in Berlin to release its forecast for southern hemisphere apple and pear production for the coming season, revealing a 5.5% increase in apple production and a 3.3% fall in pear production.
The report is based on figures compiled from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa, and therefore provides consolidated data from the six leading southern hemisphere countries.
The southern hemisphere apple crop for 2025 is forecast at 4,746,639 tonnes, up 5.5% on last year’s figure of 4.49 million tonnes. South Africa is expected to maintain its lead as the largest producer with 1,474,767 tonnes (up 3.4% on 2024), followed by Brazil at 950,000 tonnes (up 14.2%), Chile, where production is marginally up at 920,000 tonnes (up 0.7%), New Zealand at 544,949 tonnes (a 5.6% increase), Argentina at 537,000 tonnes, and Australia at 319,923 tonnes.
At 1,564,499 tonnes, Gala is by far the most popular variety, with its volume growing by 6.8% from 2024, although this is 2.3% below the average of the previous three years. Exports are also expected to increase by 5.3% to 1,653,976 tonnes, with South Africa and Chile being the two largest exporters. Exports from New Zealand are anticipated to increase by almost 10%, while more fruit is also expected from both Argentina and Brazil.
In 2025 the southern hemisphere pear crop is predicted to decline by 3.3% to a total of 1,446,970 tonnes. Argentina is the largest pear producing country, but volumes are expected to decrease by 10.9% to 616,000 tonnes. In contrast, South Africa, Chile, and Australia are all expected to increase their production, with Packham’s Triumph the most widely produced variety, followed by Williams bon Chrétien.
