Contents

Australia 2

SPCA welcomes new canned fruit supply deal with Coles 2 FGV’s John Wilson welcomes Coles decision 2 Big 2 supermarkets focus of government review 3 Fruit fly freedom welcome benefit for Riverland cherry marketing 4 APVMA concedes slightly on fenthion use for peaches and apricots 4 Growers say APVMA move too little to help 5 Research goal to better manage fruit fly 5 Accepting mutations into the Pink Lady business 6 Bilpin apple growers grateful for RFS support during NSW fires 7 Orchard walks over the next fortnight for Southern and Northern loops 7 R & D horticulture funding opportunity 8 Grants available for Victorian growers to achieve energy efficiency gains 8 Yachting Australia Board and a bloke named Garry Langford 9

New Zealand 10

Pipfruit NZ export climb forecast for apples 10 Scientists redesigning orchards to increase fruit production 10

UK / Europe 11

UK motorway services provide opportunity for local suppliers 11 Portugal apple and pear volumes up 11 Dicolor pear a success, but more work needed 11 Italy: Larger apple sizes more popular abroad 12 Polish crop down, but eyes new markets ahead 12

North America 13

Michigan bumper crop and increasing demand 13 Using UAV’s or Drones in the fight against apple scab 13

South America 14

Brazil: Automated system for Apple Moth control 14

North Asia 15

Japan farmers sell typhoon damaged apples online 15

South Asia 15

Apples galore head to Karachi Wholesale Market 15

UK Market Report 16

Information about APWN and Disclaimer 17

Week Ending: 01/11/2013

Volume 16, Issue 35

Published by Apple & Pear Australia Limited

2

Australia

SPCA welcomes new canned fruit supply deal with Coles

Adelaide Now, 30 October 2013

Supermarket giant Coles’ private label canned fruit will all be Australian-grown from early next year.

Wesfarmers’ grocery subsidiary has signed a deal with SPC Ardmona (SPCA) to source 100 per cent of

its canned fruit from Goulburn Valley growers in Victoria – replacing previously imported produce.

Coles Chief Operating Officer John Durkan said in a statement: “This new offer, including the sourcing

of 100 per cent Australian grown Coles brand canned peaches, pears and apricots from SPC Ardmona

... is a demonstration of Coles’ commitment to local sourcing.” The deal comes eight weeks after rival

Woolworths reached a similar house-brand agreement with SPCA, whose owner Coca-Cola Amatil

earlier this year called for temporary tariffs on canned goods.

Canned fruit volumes from SPCA will rise by 600,000 kilograms a year, replacing fruit that had been

previously sourced from overseas, and taking annual volumes to four million kilograms – or 300

truckloads.

SPCA Managing Director Peter Kelly hailed the new contract, which comes into effect from the

November harvest season. “This is a fantastic result for our passionate fruit growers and the Goulburn

Valley community,” he said. But the arrangement comes as Australia’s major supermarkets are accused

of undercutting suppliers, with federal Small Business Minister Bruce Billson on Wednesday adding to

the suggestions. Coles said it had an ‘Australia-first sourcing policy’.

FGV’s John Wilson welcomes Coles decision

ABC Gippsland, Victoria, 31 October 2013

Supermarket giant Coles has announced that it will be sourcing a lot more of its generic tinned fruit

from Goulburn Valley cannery SPC Ardmona (SPCA) from early 2014. Woolworths inked a similar

deal in September with 100 per cent of Woolworths’ brand canned peaches, pears and apricots set to be

sourced from local producers. Both supermarkets have been heavily criticised by local growers for

sourcing fruit from South Africa in their generic canned products.

Fruit Growers Victoria General Manager John Wilson said the decision by Coles was an excellent

outcome. “Certainly the pendulum is swinging in the right direction again whereas it was going

savagely the wrong way just six months ago,” he said. “Consumers have responded with a clear

message that they want to buy Australian fruit because it’s good, clean and the best in the world. The

supermarkets have seen that it’s good business sense to come on board and take that fruit.”

Mr Wilson said the deal would add value to both SPCA and the growers supplying it. However he said

it does not give any joy to around 50 fruit growers who had their contracts torn up by SPCA and

would not be reinstated.

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“SPC Ardmona has reinstated some of the delisted suppliers and they have increased the volume for

next year for some of the others,” he said. “But we’ve got to be mindful that we’re still only talking in

peaches and pears approximately 26,000 tonnes of fruit going into the cannery whereas a few years ago

there were 50,000 tonnes.”

Mr Wilson said the Coles and Woolworths deals enhanced, not diminished, SPCA’s case for

government support. “If we didn’t have a cannery in the district and we had the opportunity to bring

one in, government would be falling over backwards to try and entice them into the district,” he said.

SPCA executives were attending an Australian Food and Groceries Council meeting on Thursday and

the company was unable to comment.

Big 2 supermarkets focus of government review

WA Today, 30 October 2013

The price war between the nation’s big two supermarket chains could hurt consumers in the long run if

food suppliers don’t have money to invest in their businesses. With competition policy unchanged in

more than 20 years, the federal government is pushing ahead with a ‘root and branch’ review of how it

applies to the food industry.

Small Business Minister Bruce Billson said that while intense competition between Coles and

Woolworths has led to lower grocery prices there are concerns this has happened at the expense of

suppliers. “Some of the alleged behaviour of supermarkets may not necessarily breach the competition

laws as they are today,” Mr Billson told a food industry conference in Canberra on Wednesday.

“But at the same time, it doesn’t mean that the status quo is necessarily delivering the most efficient or

optimal outcomes for the market, our economy and for our consumers.”

Mr Billson described Section 46 of the policy governing the misuse of market power as a “hunting dog

that won’t leave the porch”. “It looks fantastic, it may growl, but it rarely bites,” he told the Australian

Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) gathering.

The review’s terms of reference will be released by the end of this year, before ahead of the

examination in 2014 by an independent panel of eminent business people, competition law experts and

consumer groups representatives.

Independent South Australian senator Nick Xenophon said it’s genuinely frightening that Coles and

Woolworths hold about 80 per cent of the dry grocery market. In the United Kingdom, four separate

chains hold a similar percentage of the market, and the largest chain in the United States can only hold

about 20 per cent due to laws that limit market share.

“We need similar laws here in Australia. Whatever the outcomes of the federal government’s ‘root and

branch’ review…our courts need to have the power to break up a company that abuses its market

power,” Senator Xenophon said.

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Fruit fly freedom welcome benefit for Riverland cherry marketing

ABC, Darwin, 30 October 2013

This year’s cherry season in the Riverland should be better than last year’s, according to Riverland

cherry grower Leon Cotsaris. Riverland cherries are always some of the first fruit to get to market each

year, because of the cold winters and hotter summers. However this year’s winter was warmer than

average, meaning many of the trees didn’t get the ‘chill hours’ they needed. Strong winds over spring

also had growers worried about this season’s prospects.

But despite all this Mr Cotsaris said the Riverland’s fruit-fly free status and their early season

advantage mean he’s still hoping he’ll produce the same volume as last year. “The late variety I’ve got

has cropped pretty well, some of the mid-season varieties haven’t cropped well at all. But I think the

late varieties will make up for that loss,” he said.

After the Sydney and Melbourne markets begin to fill up with locally produced fruit his cherries are

destined for Western Australia (WA). “We send a lot to WA, because South Australia is in a very good

position because we’re fruit fly free so we can export there easily,” Mr Cotsaris said.

APVMA concedes slightly on fenthion use for peaches and apricots

News.com.au, 29 October 2013

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has lifted a suspension on the

pesticide fenthion, allowing very restricted use on peaches and apricots. The pesticide – used to control

fruit fly – was temporarily banned from use on these crops earlier this month after industry data

suggested fruits sprayed with fenthion would have residue levels that made them unsafe for eating.

But further investigation by the APVMA – at the request of an unnamed industry organisation – found

that a single spray of fenthion left safe levels of residue on peaches and apricots after 21 days,

prompting the authority to issue an interim permit for its limited use.

The permit allows growers to apply fenthion once this season and states they must leave a 21-day gap

between spraying and harvesting. The permit will apply until 30 April 2014 and residue levels will be

monitored independently throughout the growing season.

“If residue levels are found to be above what is considered safe, the APVMA will take immediate

action which may include cancellation of the permit,” Executive Director Dr Raj Bhula said. “Issuing

this restricted permit does not change the current suspension instructions or permits already in place

for other uses of fenthion.”

The APVMA is conducting a review of fenthion, looking at its safety for consumption, the residues it

leaves in food, worker safety and its impact on the environment. The review is expected to finished

midway through next year. Fenthion is still able to be used on a range of other fruits and vegetables,

subject to restrictions and under permit, until the review is done. At toxic levels, fenthion interferes

with the human nervous system.

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Growers say APVMA move too little to help

West Australian – Countryman, 31 October 2013

Stonefruit growers say the industry is facing millions of dollars in losses this season as a ban on a

widely-used but controversial insecticide comes into force. A Federal government ban on fenthion –

which has been used for more than 50 years to control Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) – was

implemented this month just weeks before the stone fruit harvest gets underway in the Perth Hills. The

Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) analysis raised concerns it could

be detrimental to human health.

It was completely banned on 16 October for use on those fruits, but following a backlash from growers,

the APVMA on Tuesday issued an interim permit for one application per crop – a move orchardists say

will be of minimal use.

The man behind the Fruit Fly Action Group – Brett DelSimone – said the restriction would devastate an

already struggling industry and ultimately kill off home grown peach and apricot production. “In real

terms, the crop losses could be between 50 to 100 per cent, especially later in the season when the fruit

fly population is very high,” Mr DelSimone said.

“The problem is when it’s festering in the apricots and peaches, they get into your other crops as well

so you’re looking at whole-of-property contamination. Growers were restricted to two sprays of

fenthion on apricots and peaches last season and some had losses of 50 per cent of their crop.”

Third generation Roleystone orchardist Peter Casotti has decided to sell up after last year’s season. “It’s

just not viable,” Mr Casotti said. “If you were to lose 10 per cent of your crop to fruit fly or more, it

makes it even less viable.”

A Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia (DAFWA) spokeswoman said the new

restrictions would create a significant challenge for fruit growers in controlling fruit fly, particularly

those with small mixed orchards in the Hills area.

The Western Australia peach industry was worth about $8.6 million over the 2011-12 financial year,

according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data. There were 144 businesses producing about two

million kilograms of peaches in the State.

Research goal to better manage fruit fly

ABC – New England North West, NSW, 30 October 2013

Scientists are researching how communities can better manage fruit fly across large areas without the

use of popular fruit fly chemicals. PhD researcher Heleen Kruger, from Canberra, is studying citrus

and cherry regions in Queensland and New South Wales to work out how fruit fly control can be better

synchronised.

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She said restrictions on popular chemicals dimethoate and fenthion formed a major foundation of the

project. “In order to get market access, growers need to be able to demonstrate that there’s no fruit fly

there, and I suppose in the past, it was easy to apply chemicals. That can’t happen anymore,” she said.

“So we need to look at other ways to manage fruit fly and I think the beauty of fruit fly area-wide

management is that it’s internationally recognised as an appropriate way to manage fruit fly.” Ms

Kruger’s work is funded for four years under the CRC for Plant Biosecurity.

Accepting mutations into the Pink Lady business

APAL Industry Juice, 30 October 2013

A number of Cripps Pink Mutations (CPMs) have been discovered around the world and are protected

by plant breeder’s rights and United States Plant Patents – posing a range of issues for APAL.

The Pink Lady™ brand – originally only licensed by APAL for use in relation to the ‘Cripps Pink’

apple variety – has been a global success. The brand’s unique model ensures that only the highest

quality apples can be sold under the brand – ultimately providing a higher return to growers in the

market place.

Coregeo General Manager Garry Langford said new CPMs can only be accepted into the Pink Lady

business if they add value to the business by way of pomological or product improvements such as

increased colouration. “CPMs must meet the strict quality standards to protect the brand’s success and

ensure consumers’ expectations are always met,” he said.

Two key elements considered as part of the process for selecting new CPMs are: 1) Fruit of CPMs must

undergo rigorous consumer evaluation to ensure consumer expectations for Pink Lady quality apples

are consistently met. APAL must be satisfied that the CPMs pass this test if it’s to be accepted into

APAL’s Pink Lady business and 2) Recognition of any applicable intellectual property rights of the

owner of the ‘Cripps Pink’ variety.

A challenge for the brand is that APAL does not own the Pink Lady trade marks in all the territories,

such as the United States (US) or Mexico. Brandt’s Fruit Trees – which owns the brand in the US and

Mexico – recently announced it has introduced an early maturing CPM as a Pink Lady branded variety.

These comments and statements relate only to the US and Mexico and have nothing to do with the

territories managed by APAL. APAL was not asked to assess this variety for inclusion in its global Pink

Lady brand business.

APAL will continue to develop its global Pink Lady brand in the best interests of its business partners,

stakeholders and most importantly the consumers of high quality Pink Lady branded apples.

Click here to read the complete article or for more information contact Garry on glanford@apal.org.au.

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Bilpin apple growers grateful for RFS support during NSW fires

APAL Industry Juice, 30 October 2013

New South Wales has recently been under siege from out of control bushfires raging through the

Southern Highlands, Central Coast and the Blue Mountains. The State Mine Fire was of greatest threat

to the apple growing region of Bilpin. With Bells Line of Road the main containment line and scorching

temperatures – matched with wind gusts of up to 100 kilometres per hour – it was expected that Bilpin

and the surrounding areas would need to be evacuated.

Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) Marketing Manager Luke Westley said: “Thanks to some

favourable weather and fantastic work undertaken by the Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteers in

preparation for the most dangerous day, the threat to orchards was averted.

“We kept in daily contact with growers in the Bilpin area and they have asked me to pass on their

appreciation and congratulations to the RFS volunteers – including the Prime Minister – who

undertook extensive work back burning and creating containment lines,” Luke said.

Core to the Aussie Apples brand is the spirit of Australians to pitch in and help out when crisis strikes

and thousands of Aussie Apples were provided to evacuation centres and bushfire areas to ensure

volunteers kept their energy levels high.

“This bushfire also highlighted the importance of growers having a current bushfire survival and

action plan to ensure the safety of themselves, family and staff, and protecting orchards as much as

possible,” Luke said.

Orchard walks over the next fortnight for Southern and Northern loops

APAL Industry Juice, 30 October 2013

Growers who are interested in learning more about irrigation and plant nutrition and how they can

assist in producing high quality fruit can come along to the Southern and Northern loops of Future

Orchards® in the coming weeks.

Dr Ian Goodwin from the Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) is the

guest speaker on the Southern loop and will discuss irrigation and opportunities for improvement with

growers.

The Northern loop commences Monday, 4 November and Horticultural Consultant Stephen Tancred

will present on nutrition and why it is a key component to producing high quality fruit – dates and

locations include:

Goulburn Valley – 4 November

Batlow – 5 November

Orange – 6 November

Stanthorpe – 8 November

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The Southern loop commences Monday, 11 November and will visit the following locations:

Southern Victoria – 11 November

Tamar Valley – 12 November

Adelaide Hills – 13 November

Nannup – 14 November

Growers interested in attending the walks can contact the Front Line Advisor in their region for further

information. Alternatively contact APAL Technical Manager Jesse Reader on jreader@apal.org.au or 03

9329 3511.

R & D horticulture funding opportunity

APAL Industry Juice, 30 October 2013

Research and development (R&D) funding applications for the 2014/2015 financial year are currently

open for horticulture related investment proposals. Successful proposals will need to meet industry-

specific priorities and align with the Strategic Investment Plan (SIP). Proposals fall into two categories:

the National Levy Program or the Voluntary Contribution (VC) program.

The National Levy Program refers to industry specific projects that meet individual industry priorities.

These proposals will be funded through industry levies with matched funding from the Australian

Government. They must meet relevant industry R&D priorities and align with the relevant SIP.

The VC program focuses on benefiting all aspects of Australian horticulture and is funded by

voluntary levies assigned to funding marketing and industry R&D services. These proposals must

meet the conditions of VC funding.

Proposals must be consistent with HAL’s Strategic Plan and address the Australian Government’s

Rural Research and Development Priorities. Click here for more information on funding assessment

criteria, relevant policies and the Australian Government’s Rural Research and Development Priorities.

Applications close Friday, 15 November 2013.

Grants available for Victorian growers to achieve energy efficiency gains

APAL Industry News, 30 October 2013

Grants of up to $50,000 are available to apple and pear growers in Victoria wanting to improve on their

energy and material usage. The Capital Funding grants will be offered through the Victorian

Government’s Smarter Resources Smarter Business program and assist small to medium businesses

with the costs of implementing materials and energy efficiency projects – material efficiency may

include the upgrade of some packhouse equipment.

A Resource Assessment grant of $15,000 is also available via the program for businesses looking to

undertake an energy or materials assessment – such as an energy audit or seeking specialist advice.

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APAL Industry Services Manager Annie Farrow said the Resource Assessment funding could benefit

growers who completed the Energy Efficiency Information survey but missed out on an audit in their

business.

Apple and pear growers in Victoria have the opportunity to apply for funding towards energy and

material usage assessments in their business. Materials used to produce apples and pears include: bins,

pallets, chemicals, boxes and packaging items and other non-capital items,” Annie said.

Capital Funding grant applications close Friday, 8 November 2013. Click here for more information

on the grant. For more information about the APAL energy audits contact Annie on

afarrow@apal.org.au or 03 9329 3511.

Yachting Australia Board and a bloke named Garry Langford

Yachting Australia, 28 October 2013

Well known offshore racer and owner of Ichiban, Matt Allen, was elected as President of Yachting

Australia at the AGM in Sydney on Saturday, 19 October. Never one to stand still, Matt takes delivery

of the latest Ichiban in Australia in mid-November and will be on the start line for the 2013 Rolex

Sydney to Hobart Race on Boxing Day. Sarah Kenny was elected Vice President at the same meeting.

Three new directors joined the Board of Yachting Australia at the AGM.

Garry Langford, President of Yachting Tasmania until February 2013, was elected to the Board. Garry's

sailing career began in an International Cadets and he has sailed in the Diamond, Dragon and Etchell

Classes, as well as competing three Sydney to Hobart’s in the 1980’s. He has cruised extensively on the

Australian east coast and spent six months in the South West Pacific visiting New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji

and Vanuatu.

At Yachting Tasmania, Garry had a strong interest in establishing a pathway for Tasmanian sailing

athletes that resulted in the establishment of a formal agreement with the Tasmanian Institute of Sport

in 2008. In his professional life, Garry manages the intellectual property portfolio at Apple and Pear

Australia Ltd.

Appointed director Rosemary Collins and Doug Kerr’s join Karyn Gojnich, Phil Coombs and retiring

President David Gotze in making up the Yachting Australia Board. Directors are elected annually to

the Yachting Australia Board. The Board elects the President, Vice President and Treasurer annually.

With apologies to the other directors, who have enormous experience in yachting competition and

management, but we limited our report to those skills attributed to our Garry!

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New Zealand

Pipfruit NZ export climb forecast for apples

Fruitnet.com, ASIAFRUIT, 23 October 2013

Pipfruit New Zealand Chief Executive Alan Pollard believes the country’s apple industry is capable of

increasing export volumes by 50 per cent over the next decade – according to The New Zealand

Herald.

Speaking at Pipfruit New Zealand’s annual conference recently Mr Pollard said the peak industry body

had set the goal of shipping 475,000 tonnes to international markets by 2022 – a significant increase on

the 310,000 tonnes it hopes to export this season.

Asia looms as the centrepiece to the ramped-up export effort, with Pollard forecasting exports to the

region to rise from 61,000 tonnes in 2010 to more than 200,000 tonnes per annum over the next 10 years

– the Herald report suggested. It would see the New Zealand industry increase its market share in Asia

to 10 per cent – up on the 3.8 per cent stake it currently holds.

Mr Pollard said it was crucial New Zealand exporters continued to grow their operations in both Asia

and the Middle East, while maintaining traditional volumes to other markets around the globe. He also

pointed out the need to increase the area under apple production from 8,700 hectares to 12,700

hectares, which would see tree production climb to 2.5m per year.

Scientists redesigning orchards to increase fruit production

www.freshplaza.com , source: radionz.co.nz, 30 October 2013

Research that will literally shed more light on fruit trees, could revolutionise the way crops such as

apples are grown. Plant and Food Research scientists are investigating new orchard planting systems,

putting to the test the theory that trees and vines that receive more light could produce a lot more fruit.

Research leader Stuart Tustin said it could mean completely changing the way orchards are designed

to allow more light to reach the trees’ canopies. He said if energy capture were to increase from 60 per

cent to 85 per cent or 90 per cent the productivity of apple orchards could double. Mr Tustin said while

the initial focus is on apples, the concept also applies to other crops such as stone fruit and kiwifruit.

Part of the research is developing new, dwarfed rootstocks to control the growth of the trees and

channel more of the energy into fruit production. Plant and Food Research has received Government

funding of more than $8 million to support the six year program.

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UK / Europe

UK motorway services provide opportunity for local suppliers

Fruitnet.com, 25 October 2013

Growers in Gloucestershire are being called on to attend ‘Meet the Buyer’ events to supply new family-

run motorway services. The new motorway services specialising in local produce is looking for

growers and wholesalers in Gloucestershire and the adjoining counties to supply its farm shop and

catering service. Gloucester Services – situated outside Gloucester on the M5 – needs 60 producers

from within a 30-mile radius and a further 25 from the neighbouring regions including Somerset,

Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Monmouthshire.

Farm shop buyer Alexander Evans said that he is looking for small family wholesalers who miss out on

supermarket contracts in particular. “Buyers from Gloucester Services are holding a series of ‘Meet the

Buyer’ events across the region to make links with new suppliers,” he said.

Head of Retail Stuart Clear said the company wants to form long-term relationships with people who

really care about what they produce. “We want to meet as many farmers and growers as possible in the

region who share our ethos and passion for proper food. We also want Gloucester Services to act as a

springboard for new businesses. Maybe you’re a farmer who would like sell his stock direct rather than

via a wholesaler,” Mr Clear said.

The £40 million ($67.6 million) services project will employ 300 people and an additional 200 people

through the construction process. It is set to open in June 2014.

Portugal apple and pear volumes up

www.freshplaza.com , source: INE, 28 October 2013

The prospects published by Portugal’s National Statistics Institute (INE) on 30 September point to an

increase in pear production volumes of around 75 per cent – recovering the losses incurred during the

problematic 2012 campaign. A significant increase, of approximately 25 per cent, was also registered in

apple production volumes, which presumably will lead to the best results in the past five years.

Dicolor pear a success, but more work needed

www.freshplaza.com , source: belexport.com, 31 October 2013

Despite Conférence’s success, innovations are always sought after in pear cultivation. In 2009

Boomkwekerij René Nicolaï, Belgium introduced the new pear variety Dicolor. The sales of this variety

take place through a closed chain concept through the Limburgse Tuinbouw Veiling and Bel’Export,

the same concept as used for Corina. According to Tony Derwael of Bel’Export the pear is certainly a

commercial success. “But a lot of things still have to be taken care of in the technical aspects of growing

this pear.

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“In the area of sales we still have a three year contract with the British Marks & Spencer. They are the

only party marketing the Dicolor at the moment. There is very strong interest and demand to be able to

trade this pear from England, Germany and Scandinavia. On the English market everyone is very

curious whether this pear can match the niche market of Forelle. Unfortunately there isn’t enough

production to meet the market demand at the moment,” he said.

Mr Derwael laments that there are still many challenges in cultivation. “Dicolor can’t be compared to

other varieties and is sensitive to frost. On the other hand the pear is rather fertile, so it also has to be

thinned out.

“Dicolor is also susceptible to tearing damage, so sorting is difficult. There are around twenty growers

with this variety and they are now trying to grow differently by using the candelabra system.

“Despite everything Dicolor is a delicious pear and a commercial success. The red blush is around 50

per cent of the fruit surface. The pears also have a shiny skin. The flavour is sweet, refreshing and

aromatic,” Mr Derwael said.

Italy: Larger apple sizes more popular abroad

www.freshplaza.com , 31 October 2013

The international markets are demanding increasingly bigger grades. There are some exceptions, but

only a few countries that prefer medium-small 60 to 75 mm fruits – like Great Britain and Scandinavia

according to Luca Granata from Melinda.

All of the other destinations want medium-big (75 to 85mm) fruits. “This is why there is a difference in

prices favouring medium-big fruits with respect to others having the same variety, category and

packaging.” And the difference is going to increase in 2013/14.

Vip-Val Venosta Marketing Manager Fabio Zanesco said: “The Mediterranean area, as usual, demands

medium-big grades, but this tendency is also happening in North Africa, where such grades are seen as

luxury as local growers normally produce medium-small grades as it is difficult to obtain bigger ones.

“For the same reason, big grades are getting more popular also in countries like Russia and Poland. On

the other hand, Germany and Scandinavia seem to prefer medium or small grades - nothing really

changed over there.”

Polish crop down, but eyes new markets ahead

www.freshfruitportal.com , 29 October 2013

Europe’s leading apple producer, Poland, is nearing the end of its peak harvest season and looking to

promising, new export markets. Despite long-term growth projections, the crop will be down from last

season’s bumper crop, said Genesis Fresh representative Jan Nowakowski.

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“Last year we had a record harvest with 3.7 million tonnes. Because the trees are exhausted, they

couldn’t produce so many apples. And because of the weather conditions, we also have less crop. The

volume is expected to be 20-30 per cent less compared to last year,” he told www.freshfruitportal.com.

The crop suffered further difficulties from hail damage and summer heat that restricted fruit size. Late-

season conditions, however, have given the crop an extra boost.

Idared currently leads Polish apple production – intended primarily for the Russian market. As new

plantations come into production, however, Nowakowski explained that Gala and Golden varieties

will increase in importance, alongside new markets. “The new markets will be Africa and the Middle

East.”

North America

Michigan bumper crop and increasing demand

Grand Rapids Press – Mlive.com, 26 October 2013

Michigan apple growers shipped a record number of apples two weeks in a row this month as they

harvest a bumper crop. They set a state record of 411,973 boxes of fresh apples the week of 5 October

and 414,702 boxes the following week. The industry’s last record was set in October 2011 with 378,933 –

according to the Michigan Apple Committee. Each box contains approximately 36 to 40 pounds of

apples destined for grocery stores and other retailers.

Generally 40 per cent of Michigan’s apples are sold fresh while 60 per cent are processed into apple

sauce, juice, and other products – including apple slices sold by McDonald’s. Michigan is the third

largest producer of United States apples behind Washington and New York. It has 9.2 million trees in

commercial production on 36,500 acres, and distributes apples to 26 states and 18 countries – according

to the apple committee. The crop has an estimated annual impact of $700 million to $900 million on the

state economy, based on an average production year.

Bumper crops in Michigan and New York this year are creating more competition for Washington

apples, but Washington’s shipments remain strong with 13 million boxes shipped through 12 October –

according to Capital Press, an agriculture publication based in Oregon.

Using UAV’s or Drones in the fight against apple scab

The Huffington Post – Blog, 29 October 2013

For apple growers in the eastern United States, the biggest problem – the most relentless, pervasive,

unavoidable issue, which can ruin a whole crop if not managed aggressively – is apple scab.

Researchers at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) are working on a new tool to combat the

apple scourge: A drone. The fungal infection causes dark scabby lesions on the leaves and skin of the

apple, which leaves the flavour unaffected, but does effectively make it unsalable.

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“It’s a huge issue,” said Peter Wagner, Owner of Applecrest Farm Orchards – a 110-acre orchard in

southeast New Hampshire. “Thirty years ago, you were allowed to have a scab on your apple that was

probably 10 millimetres – or half the size of a dime – without a problem at all. Now you can’t put any

of that in the apple pack, so it renders the apple unmarketable.”

Apple scab is less of an issue in drier regions – such as Washington State. But in places like New York,

New Hampshire, Vermont or Massachusetts apple scab is the number one pathogen and apple

farmers’ primary concern.

So researchers at the University of New Hampshire are working on a new tool for fighting apple scab:

Drones. “When you think about apple production now, a grower needs to walk through his orchard

every day to make sure he sees any new insect pests or any new disease pests that come into an

orchard,” said Plant Pathologist Kirk D. Broders, an Assistant Professor at UNH. “But when you’re

talking about a 10, 20, 100-acre orchard, your ability to do that on a daily basis is almost impossible.”

But it is possible with a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) – or drone – carrying an infrared camera

that takes multispectral images of the orchard. A computer program crunches the wavelengths in each

pixel, making it possible to hone in on colours and temperatures – and locate apple scab. “If you had a

UAV that had the capacity to go up once a day, take a digital image or multiple digital images – both in

infrared and then in normal spectrum – you could actually monitor your orchard using a $2,000 UAV,”

said Mr Broders.

Graduate student Matthew Wallhead is leading the project at UNH and built the first such system this

summer for about $2,400. It includes a low-cost surveillance drone from a Massachusetts startup called

Rotary Robotics – though Wallhead prefers the term UAV as “the term ‘drone’ has traditionally

implied a weaponised system,” he said.

At Applecrest Farm Peter Wagner said the prospect of an affordable infrared imaging system that

could be used daily is pretty awesome. “I think that’s a great endeavour – no question – particularly

the fact that most scab that we don’t eradicate usually occurs at the top of the tree,” Wagner said.

Wallhead and Broders envision apple growers using the drone-camera system in conjunction with the

predictive models for apple scab – the real-time data that tell farmers when to spray.

South America

Brazil: Automated system for Apple Moth control

www.freshplaza.com , source: Epagri, 29 October 2013

The Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Company of Santa Catarina (Epagri) together with

Santa Catarina’s Hydrometeorology and Environmental Resources Information Center will be the first

company in Brazil to install an automated system for the control of the population fluctuation of the

Apple moth. The equipment will be implemented soon in apple orchards in the cities of São Joaquim,

Caçador and Faiburgo and the Northern Planalto region in Brazil. Return to front page

15

Each equipment has a trap with synthetic pheromone, a substance capable of attracting males. After

entering the trap, the insect is trapped in an adhesive plate. This plate is photographed in high

resolution by multiple cameras and the images are sent via cell phone to a server. The results of the

analysis of the images, with the number of individuals detected, will be available via the Internet,

mobile and other devices.

North Asia

Japan farmers sell typhoon damaged apples online

www.freshplaza.com , source: rocketnews24.com, 30 October 2013

Japan is no stranger to typhoons. Every year the island nation is battered by howling winds and

torrential rain. This year 28 typhoons have made their way to Japan – but it was the 26th that had a

particularly disastrous impact on apple farmers in Nagano prefecture.

With their crops partially destroyed and most of their fruit unable to be sold in stores due to scratches

and imperfections, the clever farmers took to the internet. Their crops are now being sold at online

retailer, Oisix, as ‘typhoon apples’. And believe it or not, many people are actually buying the flawed

fruit.

Oisix began accepting orders for the typhoon-tousled Fuji apples on 24 October for delivery in late

November. A 1-kilogram box (3 to 7 apples) is being sold for 950 yen (US$9.70) and a larger 3-kilogram

box (6 to 13 apples) costs 2,480 yen ($25.34) – 30 per cent off the original prices. Many Japanese citizens

have been placing orders in support of the Nagano farmers and their damaged crops.

It’s heart-warming to see the outpouring of support for Nagano’s apple farmers. Even though Japan’s

26th typhoon destroyed many crops, it couldn’t destroy the kindness and loyalty of the local people.

South Asia

Apples galore head to Karachi Wholesale Market

The News, thenews.com.pk, 27 October 2013

“The supply of apples has doubled from farms to markets in the last 15 days,” a wholesaler from the

Karachi Wholesale Market of Vegetable and Fruits said. The Karachi wholesale market is receiving

around 100 trucks of the fruit every day as compared to around 50 trucks 15 days ago. “The same

situation is being reported from other wholesale markets in the country,” he said.

“The increase in supply; however, has not impacted the price of the fruit, as it is already being sold at

lower prices at the wholesale and retail markets. The variety of apples called Mussadi is available at

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16

Rs40 per kilogram in the wholesale market, while golden apple is being sold at Rs70 to Rs80 per

kilogram in the wholesale market.”

UK Market Report Fresh Produce Journal, www.fpj.co.uk, 25 October 2013, United Kingdom wholesale apple & pear

prices. Price range indicates across one or more UK wholesale markets.

Variety Source Pack Pence Min

Pence Max

AU $ Min AU $ Max

Braeburn France 12.0kg 1150 1400 19.45 23.68

Braeburn France 13.0kg 1200 1265 20.29 21.39

Bramley UK 12.0kg 600 800 10.15 13.53

Cox UK Per kg 60 95 1.01 1.61

Cripps Pink Brazil 18.0kg 613 0 10.37

Cripps Pink France 13.0kg 1450 0 24.52

Egremont R’t UK Per kg 88 95 1.49 1.61

Fuji Italy 13.0kg 1400 0 23.68

Gala France 13.0kg 1200 0 20.29

G. Dels France 13.0kg 1175 1250 19.87 21.14

G. Smith France 12.0kg 1150 1300 19.45 21.98

Jonagold Netherlands 12.0kg 750 0 12.68

McIntosh Red USA 12.0kg 2950 0 49.89

Pink Lady Argentina 18.0kg 2000 0 33.82

Pink Lady Chile 12.0kg 1400 1700 23.68 28.75

Pink Lady France 13.0kg 1650 0 27.90

Pink Lady New Zealand 70/78 2000 0 33.82

Red Chief France 12.0kg 1200 0 20.29

Red Del’s Spain 13.0kg 1400 0 23.68

R. Gala France 13.0kg 1140 1200 19.28 20.29

R. Gala Italy 7.0kg 950 0 16.07

Toffee apples UK 20 700 800 11.84 13.53

Asian Pear China 10.0kg 700 0 11.84

Abate Fetel Italy 7.0kg 1050 0 17.76

Buerre Hardy Netherlands 12.0kg 800 850 13.53 14.37

Conference Belgium 12.0kg 725 950 12.26 16.07

Comice Belgium 6.0kg 775 0 13.11

Red WBC France 13.0kg 1000 0 16.91

Rocha Portugal 44/52, 10x6 975 0 16.49

WBC Italy 7/8.0kg 775 900 13.11 15.22

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17

Information about APWN and Disclaimer This bulletin is prepared weekly to bring you up to date with the latest information about apples and pears with some

reference to other commodities. Information is sourced from weekly and monthly publications and the electronic media and

is used in the next issue of the bulletin after it is received. All sources are referenced.

The Bulletin is compiled and edited by Apple & Pear Australia Ltd (APAL) from information researched by APAL staff and

consultants, in particular Ross Wall.

Every effort is taken to interpret and report accurately on information and events but no responsibility is taken for the source

or accuracy of either the information or the interpretation placed upon it in this publication. Similarly the authors do not

accept any responsibility for any action that may be taken by an individual following their interpretation of statements made

in this report.

Currency conversions are for guidance only and were obtained from the XE Currency Calculator which can be found at

http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/.

The editor is Richelle Zealley and her e-mail address is cm@apal.org.au

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