The pipfruit industry says this year's apple and pear export crop will be significantly lower than its pre-harvest estimate, but still well above last year's crop.
Pipfruit New Zealand has updated its forecast as the export season reaches its half-way point saying it appears that the crop overall will be about 15% down on the January estimate of 17.8 million cases.
Chief executive Peter Beaven says smaller fruit size is a factor, along with selective picking because of market conditions for some varieties of fruit.
He says isolated pockets of hail and wet weather in major growing districts have also reduced numbers.
Mr Beaven says it doesn't necessarily mean the returns are down because the crop is still larger than last year, with an estimated growth from 14.7 million cases in 2010 to 16 million cases this year.
He says the exchange rate aside, the outlook is for a good season for growers.
Mr Beaven says the demand for Southern Hemisphere fruit has been solid so far, with reasonable early prices and demand in many Asian markets, especially for unique New Zealand apple varieties.
The first varieties to reach European markets, Cox's Orange and Royal Gala, are selling at slightly better prices than last year.
