First Belgian Conference pears to Brazil

On Tuesday, the Conference pear tasting campaign kicked off in São Paolo, Brazil. This is according to the Belgian fruit growers co-operative, BFV. They have begun a countrywide campaign to introduce Brazilian consumers to the Conference pear, grown by BVF growers. In the coming weeks, many more tastings will be organised in order to familiarise consumers with the quality of Belgian Conference pears.

The marketing strategy is supported by VLAM, the Flanders' Agricultural Board, with its 'Taste of Europe' information and promotion campaign. This campaign will introduce the Belgian Conference pear to Brazilians. Its focus is on taste testings on the shop floor. Brazilians will need to get used to this variety of pear with its rust-coloured skin. They usually eat fruit with shiny skins. VLAM will receive European co-financing of 80% over three years for this programme.

The BFV has been trying to get Belgian pears exported to Brazil since 2014. Thanks to good co-operation between all the relevant parties, and a meeting at the end of January 2017 between the Belgian Minister of Agriculture, Willy Borsus, and his Brazilian counterpart, Blairo Maggi, the matter was put on the fast track.

Brazil, itself, produces hardly any pears. It imports about 200 000 tonnes yearly. Currently Belgium only exports EUR 150 million's worth of agricultural products to Brazil.

The search for alternate sales markets for the Conference pear has opened up new destinations for BFV fruit. This is a boost for BVF growers, since they are still dealing with the negative impact of the Russian boycott. The BVF says they are convinced that the Brazilian market also has the potential to become an important sales market for the Conference pear. This is after their experience in the Asian market.

Source: BPV