The topfruit industry in the Lake Constance region again received an increased number of Xenia pears this year. Based on the stock inventories officially announced by the producer organizations via AMI as of 1 November, the Xenia November stocks account for around one third of the 6,700 tonnes reported. At Lake Constance, around 1,000 tonnes more were harvested than in the previous year. Within the licensed fruit sales company for fruit in Dresden, 220 tons of Xenia of very good quality were also harvested. The current pear market promises to be an optimal starting point for the popular club pear Xenia, said Egon Treyer - Managing Director of Marktgemeinschaft Bodenseeobst eG..
Left: Xenia pears on the tree. Right: Packed pears just before labeling.
On 17 September - about a week later than in the previous year - the first Xenia pears were picked at Lake Constance. Within about two weeks, the harvest was completed, after which the first fruits were delivered in the first week of October. A total of 2,500 tonnes of Xenia pears were harvested this year in the Lake Constance area - with a total pear yield in the region of approximately 4,000 tonnes. "This is now a decent share for the area but also for Germany, because in 2018 we could only harvest about 1,400 tons of Xenia® pears."
Expert discussion in the production hall of OGM Eriskirch Josef Spanagel LLC.
Excellent storage properties
The quality of this year's harvest is excellent. Due to the weather conditions since flowering, there generally are few large caliber fruits. This means that common Xenia calibers -between 65-90 mm- are abundant, commented Dr. Treyer. "We also expect a better packout situation compared to the very hot year of 2018 and the frosty year 2017.
Collecting, storage, sorting and packaging is what is happening at the Bodensee fruit wholesale market Eriskirch Josef Spanagel. Sales are handled exclusively by the Bodensee Vertriebsgesellschaft. Unfortunately, in previous years, part of the produce was ultimately not marketable, which reduced the contribution margin per hectare to producers. This year, the storage qualities of the product are outstanding, because of ideal weather conditions during their growth."
Xenia pears in cartons.
Advantageous marketing situation
Due to the bad weather, this year's Italian harvest of the Abate Fetel variety was greatly reduced. This clearly plays into the marketing of the southern German Xenia's, says Dr. Treyer. "The Xenia is a similar pear variety, therefore addressing the same consumer segment. Some buyers even say that Xenia is the only real alternative to the Abate. In view of this, our producers can again expect a decent revenue situation compared to club apple varieties. It is a situation our co-operative members really need after the two previous years."
Successive expansion of production volume
In food retailing, the club pear continues to enjoy increasing popularity. The variety is also steadily gaining in importance on the part of the producer. "Our total acreage on Lake Constance is almost 100 hectares. If they all come into production in a few years, we will be able to offer some 5,000 tons per year. In addition, we are already endeavoring to be able to offer Xenia as an organic pear in the future," Dr. Treyer concluded.
For more information:
Marktgemeinschaft Bodenseeobst eG
GF: Dr. Egon Treyer 
Albert-Maier-Str. 6
88045 Friedrichshafen
Tel: +49 (7541) 5010-10
Fax: +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
Tel: 07541 / 9704-0
Fax: 07541 / 8496
E-Mail: vertrieb@spana-frucht.de
www.obstgrossmarkt-spanagel.jimdo.com