While the first QTee® harvests began on July 15th and ended early last week in the Alps, the campaign officially got underway on the 6th of August. The start to the season has been promising, thanks to favorable weather from flowering through to harvest. "We have a potential harvest of 6,000 tons this year, which is a big improvement from last year's 3,800 tons. This positive difference is due to young orchards coming into production, but also to weather conditions that were conducive to fruit development. The plots were spared from frost and hail, and pollination went well, unlike last year," explains Stéphane Vieira, QTee brand manager.
© QTee
Although the drought had a slight impact on the size of the crop, this year's yields exceeded expectations. "Overall, the growers did rather well. The quality is very good this year, both visually and in terms of taste, although we would have liked to see slightly larger sizes.
A positive start to the marketing year
On the retail side, although pears were not the fruit of choice in terms of consumption in August, the campaign got off to a good start. "All our clients played the game and listed the product for the start of the campaign. We are expecting sales volumes to rise from September onwards, with the campaign ending in November. Since its launch in 2022, the QTee has been very well received. Customers love its attractive, crunchy, and juicy appearance, ideal for snacking, a new consumer trend. A consumer test carried out by CTIFL in 2022 attests to this. Out of 200 people who tasted QTee, 90% were satisfied with the refined version, which is quite rare for fruit. It is a variety that is clearly helping to rejuvenate the range, introducing people to a different way of eating pears."
© Wouters France
Aiming for a 20% increase in export sales
While the current priority is to supply the French market, the brand is also looking to develop its export business. "We want to saturate the French market first before concentrating on exports, even though we already have a presence there. Last year, we exported 15% of our volumes to Germany and the UK, but we also tried our hand at a few major export markets, such as Dubai and Central America, which went very well. The pear travels well, it holds up well over time, and is perfectly suited to the needs of certain markets in the southern hemisphere, which appreciate blushed pears. Our aim this year is to increase our export share to 20%."
© QTee
The target of 220 hectares of plantations reached for this season
This 2025/2026 season marks the completion of the first planting schedule, with a total of 220 hectares. "The aim was to reach a potential of 10,000 tons once the orchards were mature, which we should achieve with 220 hectares. This significant tonnage represents a crucial step in establishing a variety on the market over the long term. We decided to make an initial assessment once this tonnage is reached, to see how the variety performs from an agronomic and marketing point of view over time. We may then initiate a second planting plan, but for the time being, that is not on the agenda."
For more information:
Stéphane Vieira
Wouters France
[email protected]
