Apple prices set to come back

Brisbane Markets apple and pear agent Cameron Cooper, of RW Pascoe, says the industry has just been through a year like no other. Apples were short and prices were very high.

Ironically the shortage was caused by drought and not floods.

"The damage was done when the fruit was being produced last year," Mr Cooper said. "The drought stressed the trees and that affected the fruit. Fruit was really light and the fruit that did come off early had no shelf life because the trees weren't getting enough water.

"Nothing was stored and there's been a huge shortage of good fruit.

"There hasn't been a year like this for at least 15 years."

But that's all about to change with the arrival of the new season Galas from Stanthorpe.

Mr Cooper said the quality was good and supply was strong.

"They're just starting to come in now," he said. "Usually we would get the first apples around Australia Day. This year it's late because of all the rain and no sunshine and cool days. Everyone has been running way behind.

"The quality is good and a lot of people say there's going to be a lot of small fruit but I don't think so. The price should start to ease back slowly. At the height of the shortage apples were trading for between $50 and $60/12kg box."

Mr Cooper expects the price to drop back to between $36 and $40.

Red Delicious apples out of Victoria, Tasmania and Stanthorpe are still another two weeks away.