Representatives of key apple and pear producing and exporting countries from around the world met at the recent FruitLogistica fair in Berlin for the annual general meeting of the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA) on 8 February 2008. This February meeting of WAPA is now firmly fixed in the members' calendar as a key date for discussion of recent and expected global developments for the international apple and pear sector.

During its annual meeting WAPA re-elected Pierre Peres (ABPM -Brazil) as president of the association for the coming year. At the same occasion, Mr Alessandro Dalpiaz (Assomela - Italy) was re-confirmed as vicepresident of WAPA. WAPA also released in Berlin its annual consolidated crop forecasts for the forthcoming southern hemisphere apple and pear seasons. Collected from industry groups in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand and South Africa, the statistics showed that 2008 apple and pear Southern Hemisphere crops are expected to reach 5.204.148 T and 1.405.267 T, respectively.

For apples, this represents a small decrease of 0,2 % on the 2007 crop while a somewhat bigger decrease in the pear crop of 2,3% is recorded. These forecasts are up 2% for apples and up 7,8% for pears, compared with the average production from 2004 to 2007. After the meeting, Pierre Peres, President of WAPA commented, "The collation of these comprehensive statistics has hitherto provided sound information from the Southern Hemisphere, complementing in a similar format the data already existing for the Northern Hemisphere production." Hand in hand with these discussions were those held regarding the Northern Hemisphere apple and pear stocks.

European apple and pear stocks of 1 January 2008 were at respectively 3.161.951 T and 548.942 T, which represent respectively for apples a slight increase and for pears a decrease of 12% on stocks compared to the same time last year. US stocks were slightly down to 1.395.147 T for apples and 17% higher to 173.548 T for pears. Finally, the European Commission informed delegates that the EU marketing standard for apples would be aligned with the UN-ECE standard in the coming months. The current EU-provisions regarding sizing will end by the 31st of May 2008.