Top fruit harvests turned out to be particularly lush last autumn. Both the pear yield and the current stocks are pleasing, as is the current consumption level. However, the most conspicuous feature is the rapid development of production of the Xenia® variety. Eight years ago, the first few hectares were planted with this licensed crop. Currently, the market share already comprises a quarter of the pear stock officially registered in January in Germany. Promoter of the first hour and managing director of market community Bodenseeobst e.G. -Dr. Egon Treyer- comments on this success story.
Pome fruit producer Alexander Martin / Source: OGM Eriskirch
Current status
The stockpiles of pears in Germany currently amount to 4,800 tonnes, of which 1,400 tonnes are Xenia® pears. "Its share of the entire pear market is therefore already relatively large," explains Treyer. "Last year we only had 800 tons because of the frost. At that time, the goal was to have a total yield of 3,000 tons in about 2-3 years. We expect that we will achieve this once the weather returns to normal somewhat."
Xenia®-Pears ready for marketing / Source: OGM Eriskirch
Since the beginning of the pear campaign, people are enjoying steady retail sales. "Immediately after the harvest up until Christmas, people still had a high degree of self-sufficiency from the orchards. Nevertheless, in the first 12 weeks we have already been able to market a substantial part of the total produce. With the current state, because of the previous consumption, we will probably be sold out in April."
(left to right) Fruit Producer B. Sc. Horticulture Alexander and Heinz Martin / Source: OGM Eriskirch
Unique product features
About eight years ago, the first Xenia® trees were planted in the Lake Constance region. It was above all the taste, the consistency and the yield security that convinced several producer organizations at that time. "Although its optics may not be the greatest strength of the Xenia®, the other features -which are the more important for the producer as well as the consumer- are better than those of all the other new varieties in the pear range. Compared to the apples, the assortment of pears is not so wide-ranging, so a new variety, which is optically not perfect due to its genetic make-up, still has the opportunity to establish itself in the market. Ultimately, we feel that consumers will actually get to appreciate the taste in the long term. It's not the one-time purchase of a pear, but the repeat purchase that is crucial to the success of a variety."
Source: OGM Eriskirch
Market community Bodenseeobst eG is the license holder for the production and marketing of Xenia pears in Germany. VEOS fruit distribution company, WOG Raiffeisen eG, VOG Ingelheim and Bio Obst Münch are licensees of Xenia® cultivation and distribution. The products are marketed together in Southern Germany, in favor of long-term sales in the trade. Treyer: "Everything here goes through the Bodensee Vertriebsgesellschaft and we are therefore not in competition. That's a big advantage for everyone involved."
Source: OGM Eriskirch
Excellent continuity
Fruit wholesale market Eriskirch Josef Spanagel takes care of the Bodensee produce as a service provider for the storage, sorting and packaging as well as the supply of wholesalers and retail customers. Here, too, the increasing interest in the Xenia® and its excellent quality is noticeable, says sales manager Helmut Willauer. "Customers who once have had Xenia® pears in their range usually do not change anymore. Throughout the season -from the end of October to mid-May- the variety is excellent in its taste and continuity. This ultimately makes it very well marketable. This year we are having very good returns. We sort and market them continuously. Because of the high consumption rate, we do not expect the campaign to last until May, but we think it will be all over already in April."
For more information:
Marktgemeinschaft Bodenseeobst eG
GF: Dr. Egon Treyer 
Albert-Maier-Str. 6
88045 Friedrichshafen
Phone: +49 (7541) 5010-10
Telefax: +49 (7541) 5010-88
E-Mail: e.treyer@mg-bodenseeobst.de
www.bodenseeobst.com
Obstgroßmarkt Eriskirch
Josef Spanagel GmbH
Obst vom Bodensee-Weg 1
88097 Eriskirch
Phone: 07541 / 9704-0
Fax: 07541 / 8496
E-Mail: vertrieb@spana-frucht.de
www.obstgrossmarkt-spanagel.jimdo.com