CANBERRA: Significant increase in shipments to the Thai market has helped propel Australian apple exports to triple figure growth, according to an interim report released by Apple & Pear Australia (APAL).
The report, which measured export figures between January and November 2015, put total apple exports at 3,612 tonnes, with the value of the trade estimated at A$10.32m. This reflects 111 per cent increase in volume compared to the corresponding period of 2014.
Trade to Thailand reached 550 tonnes, a five-fold increase over 2014, while stronger Pink Lady programmes into the UK also influenced export results.
Pear exports rose 46 per cent year-on-year (January to November) to 9,785 tonnes, with the trade valued at A$15.7m. New Zealand and Indonesia were the major market destinations for Australian pears, while sales into Hong Kong lifted to 1,109 tonnes off a low base. The results for the full 2015 calendar year are expected to be released next month.
