7111.0.55.002 - Agricultural Survey: Apples and Pears, Australia, Preliminary, 2001-02  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 26/11/2002   
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MEDIA RELEASE

November 26, 2002
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
165/2002

Apple production steady, while pear production falls in 2001-02

Preliminary Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) estimates of Australia's apples and pears production in 2001-02 indicate the production of 325,000 tonnes of apples and 148,000 tonnes of pears.

Apple production increased marginally over the previous year, while pear production decreased by 14%.

Unfavourable seasonal conditions were experienced in 2001-02 across the major southern apple and pear growing regions in Australia, although conditions were generally more favourable in New South Wales and northern Victoria.

Other key findings were:
  • The total number of apple trees reported decreased by 3% to 9.9 million in 2001-02.
  • The total number of pear trees reported decreased by 9% to 1.9 million in 2001-02.
  • The largest apple producing state, Victoria, recorded a 7% decrease in production to 101,000 tonnes. Victoria was also the largest pear producing state and recorded a 15% decrease in production to 129,000 tonnes.

These preliminary estimates are in Agricultural Survey: Apples and Pears, Australia, Preliminary 2001-02 (cat. no. 7111.0.55.002) - an electronic release available on this web site.