Belgian, South African and NZ fruit plentiful English growers being squeezed European apple growers are coming under pressure from both southern hemisphere imports and even continental fruit which has been in store for 12 months. Last week English Apples and Pears, the industry's representative organisation, warned of the possibility. But it would now appear the situation will be more widespread than initially thought. According to trade sources, there are still substantial volumes of Belgian Jonagold remaining which could still be on sale until November unless the market improves. The position is hardly helped by low prices for even the most popular varieties. South African Braeburn, Royal Gala and even Pink Lady are hovering at about £10 per carton. Granny Smiths and Golden Delicious are as much as £3 less. Martin Dunnett, UK manager for Capespan International, said that despite there being fewer apples, there had been some "aggressive selling" over the past six weeks to help clear supplies. Cape expects to export a total of about 1.8 million cartons of Goldens to the UK compared with two million in 1998 and will have concluded selling by mid August. Granny Smith, however, will be available against programmed orders until mid September, despite a similar volume being 500,000 less than the previous season. Tony Fisette, European general manager for Enza, said that while it had been able to hold prices in New Zealand and have a satisfactory season so far, sales would be extended simply to allow for the fact there had been at least two million more cartons of fruit bringing the total to about 11 million. {{FRESH PRODUCE }}

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