Quantities are not high, demand is steady and prices are more than decent. This is what emerges from an interview with two key operators from the pear sector.
"The situation is, all in all, positive, although we must not forget that producers have had lower yields than the average of the last 5 years. Some varieties have had some harder moments, such as Santa Maria and William, but nothing too destabilizing. For Abbot, destocking is proceeding smoothly and prices will not differ much from last year's ones," said Albano Bergami, president of the national fruit section of Confagricoltura.
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Bergami also pointed out that storage is good and spotting is not causing any problems. Some large-scale retail chains, ahead of others, have understood that pears with a slight spotting (due to spring frost) have no organoleptic defects, but only aesthetic ones, and they are buying this product as well. Which is an advantage for producers.
Another very important operator of the sector added that "Quotations are in line with expectations. If the trend continues to be positive, there may be room for small increases. Those who have harvested according to the criteria now have a good, well-preserved product in their cells. But it is also important to sell wisely, by starting with the lots that are presumed to have a more problematic shelf life, and then moving on to the best lots".
"For the next three months we are optimistic, because there are good prospects," concluded the operator.