During Interpera 2014, Alisenda Casals Pelegri, Afrucat technical and market manager, talked about the evolution of pear production in Europe and the first estimates for the 2014/15 campaign.
(Below charts in Italian)
(Below charts in Italian)
Variety distribution per country.
Production and market in 2013
The total pear production in Europe (2,321,000 tons in 2013) is divided between Italy (31%), Spain (17%), Portugal (8%), Belgium (13%), Holland(13%), followed by Germany, UK and Greece.
Evolution of pear production in the main producer countries.
In Italy (data supplied by CSO - Centro Servizi Ortofrutticoli) 726,000 tons were harvested in 2013 - almost 300,000 were Abate and 150,000 were William BC, followed by Ercolini, Conference and Kaiser.
Volumes were bigger than 2012 but lower than 2011. Quality was good even if grades tended to be medium-small. Harvests were one week late. The foreign market was rather slow due to competition from Belgium, which sold Conference pears at competitive prices all over Europe. The price of Abate Fetel was stable throughout the campaign because there were small volumes of medium and big grades. The price of small grades was lower than 2012. Demand for Kaiser was rather scarce.
France produced 161,000 tons in total (above the annual average but below expectations) - over 55,000 Wiliam BC, 40,000 Guyot, Conference etc. The main producer regions are Paca (Provence, Alps, French Riviera, 48%), Rhone-Alps (15%), Loire Valley (7%), Languedoc-Roussillon (6%), Aquitaine (5%). Grades were rather small but quality was satisfactory despite a significant delay in harvesting.
The market was complicated due to various factors. First of all, there was a delay in production, combined with an overcrowded foreign market and an overlapping of Guyot and Williams. Prices were rather average. Data were supplied by AOP - Nationale Pomme Poire.
Spain almost reached 390,000 tons - mainly Conference (almost 170,000 tons), Balnquilla, William, Guyot grown for the most part in Catalonia (53%), Aragona (15%), la Roja (14), Murcia (5). Harvesting was 7-9 days with respect to 2012 and yields were above expectations. Quality was acceptable as well as sugar content. The russeting of Conference was good, whereas that of Limonera was medium-low.
Prices were high in early summer because of the lack of stocks from the previous years but they dropped in October because of the good quantities in Europe. Conference prices rose again in April 2014.
Belgium produced 305,000 tons (+20% with respect to estimates), 270,000 of which were of the Conference variety. Harvesting started ten days later than average but there were no problems - quality was good with a lot of small grades and a long shelf-life (except for the late varieties). Prices were rather low until late March- early April because offerings was high. When volumes decreased, prices increased again. Prices are stable at the moment.
As regards Holland, 250,000 tons of 291,000 tons in total were of the Conference variety.
Portugal too - 195,000 tons harvested 10-15 days late - only "knows" one pear variety, i.e. Rocha. Production and quality suffered from the fact that grades were small (60% less tan 60 mm). Sugar content and russenting were in the norm. The campaign is still going on but prices were lower than previous years because grades were small.
First estimates for 2014/15
The first data concerning 2014 production presented by Elisenda Casals Pelegri show that production could be slightly lower, which could make the sector more stable.
Belgium produced 305,000 tons (+20% with respect to estimates), 270,000 of which were of the Conference variety. Harvesting started ten days later than average but there were no problems - quality was good with a lot of small grades and a long shelf-life (except for the late varieties). Prices were rather low until late March- early April because offerings was high. When volumes decreased, prices increased again. Prices are stable at the moment.
As regards Holland, 250,000 tons of 291,000 tons in total were of the Conference variety.
Portugal too - 195,000 tons harvested 10-15 days late - only "knows" one pear variety, i.e. Rocha. Production and quality suffered from the fact that grades were small (60% less tan 60 mm). Sugar content and russenting were in the norm. The campaign is still going on but prices were lower than previous years because grades were small.
First estimates for 2014/15
The first data concerning 2014 production presented by Elisenda Casals Pelegri show that production could be slightly lower, which could make the sector more stable.
Conference production forecasts - the most cultivated pear in Italy, Spain, Belgium and France.
Casals Pelegri said that spring was good with few localised freezes. Blossoming and setting varied according to the country. Drops were significant in some areas.
Italy
It is still early to talk about figures for 2014, but the number of fruits is lower than 2013 especially due to bad weather in winter and spring. Quality is looking good. The varieties most affected by weather are Kaiser, Decana del Comizio and Santa Maria. At the moment, the season is a few days early.
France
Good weather during blossoming and setting. Reduced volumes are expected due to scarce blossoming and abundant drops and cultivated areas have been reduced. Grades seem to be rather high. Harvesting should be a few days late.
Spain
Good weather during blossoming and setting. Some freezes in the southern areas. There were lots of fruits per plant in 2013, so there should be less in 2014. Less cultivated surfaces due to illness. Good grades and russeting are expected. Harvesting should be early.
Belgium
Some orchards were damaged by cold, but weather conditions during blossoming and setting were generally good. Drops were high, but it is still too early to make an estimate. Cultivated surfaces increased by 21% in the last 10 years (7,350 ha in 2003/04 to 8,921 in 2013/14). Quality should be good, with grades in the norm. Harvesting should be 10 days earlier than average.
Portugal
Blossoming and setting benefited by high temperature and no rain, but blossoming was brief. Volumes are destined to increase in the next few years thanks to new orchards. It is still too early to asses the final quality of fruit. Drops could reduce the number of fruits per tree and therefore increase grades.
