South Africa: Fresh Deciduous Fruit Annual
The export of pears and apples is forecast to increase by 4 percent in the 2018/19 MY, while table grapes exports will increase by 8 percent, as the industry starts its recovery from the previous season`s drought. The production of apples and pears is not expected to return to normal production levels until in the 2019/20 MY. South Africa only imports small quantities of deciduous fruits to fulfill a niche market or to satisfy domestic demand when supply is limited. Due to phytosanitary restrictions, the United States only has limited market access of apples from areas that are free of Rhagoletis pomonella (apple maggot). The United States is still negotiating to expand this market access to include areas regulated for apple maggot in the United States.