A volume of over 15,000 tonnes of pears went to China from Belgium in 2014. The Belgian Conference pears have been commercialised under the brand Truval by the Belgian Fruitveiling since 2010. According to Marc Evrard, commercial director of BFV, more is going there each year. He doesn't give his expectations in exact figures. "I can say that the numbers are doubling or tripling every year. Yet the export is a surprise each year and the results are dependent on a lot of things."
The Netherlands too
It took over three years before BFV received access to the Chinese market. It was the first European party to arrive there with a Western pear. The Netherlands is also allowed to export pears to China as of this season. "It is a good thing that more countries are following, it is the same pear so there is generic promotion for Conference. Of course it is very important in this that the quality that is send it good and equal. We all have to send a tasty and perfect products and not mess with it."
Limited in area
He sees the interest in Conference grow in China. "I expect a steady growth in the sales of pears. Once people taste Conference they are convinced. But there are limitations. China is big and it can take a while before everyone has tried this pear. Investing in promotions and tastings is a huge expense. We are also limited in the area we can source from due to the strict phytosanitary demands made by China. Only a few hundred hectares have been approved, although this is growing."
For more information:
Marc Evrard
Belgische Fruitveiling
Montenakenweg 82
3800 Sint-Truiden - Belgium
+32 11 69 34 11
www.bfv.be