Argentina Expects More Pears and Apples

WASHINGTON - Dec 20/06 - SNS -- Deciduous fresh fruit production in Argentina is expected to rise in 2007 to around 1.78 million metric tons (MT) or pears and apples, according to the U.S. agricultural attache for the country. Last season's 1.75 million MT harvest was down 5% from 2005.

So far, no important unfavorable climatic event has occurred in the Southern Valley. However, as usual, the province of Mendoza has received some hail damage in some of its production areas. The harvest of the Bartlett variety is expected to start on January 5 in Mendoza province and on January 10 in the Southern Valley.

The apple harvest is programmed to start with the Gala variety on January 30 and finish on February 15. The traditional Red Delicious harvest starts at the end of February and lasts until the end of March when the harvest of the Granny Smith variety begins.

The 2007 apple crop is expected to rise 4% due to favorable weather conditions in the Southern Valley and new plantations entering production. The best prospect in the 2007 crop is the Gala variety, which according to industry sources is expected to have high yields, with excellent quality. This variety covers 16% of the planted area to apples in the Southern Valley. Red Delicious and Granny Smith varieties are in good shape with expected yields similar to those of 2006.

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