Italian pear cultivation is struggling. A major harvest is not expected there this year, which could result in the second-lowest European pear harvest in the past decade. That is according to initial estimates released during Interpera, writes GroentenFruit Huis. This year's international pear congress, organized by Afrucat and AREFLH, took place from June 28 to 30 in Lleida, Spain.
Decline in Italy
Late frost, dry weather, floods, and Asian (brown) marmorated stink bugs are only some of the issues Italian pear production has faced in recent years. Some 15 to 20 years ago, Italy harvested 900 million kilos annually. For the coming season, that will probably be 300 million kg or even less.
Is that leading to Italy losing its leading position among European pear-growing countries? Helwig Schwartau (AMI) assumes a preliminary total estimate of 1.9 billion kilos for the European pear harvest. The Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, and Spain are talking about normal harvests, while Italy and France will pick fewer pears than last year.
Benelux will have a regular harvest.
During two round table talks, each country briefly described its situation and gave an outlook, where possible. The Dutch delegation consisted of Gerard Pronk and Wilco van den Berg (both on behalf of GroentenFruit Huis/DPA). They did not venture a forecast. That country usually announces its first pear harvest estimate in the third week of July after the harvest estimate committee has met.
It seems it will be an average Dutch harvest; the full potential will not be reached. Belgium is currently assuming a slightly larger harvest than last year due to the pears' larger size. In 2022, the dry weather meant Belgian growers picked many small pears. But as several panelists mentioned, late June is actually too early for a forecast. It is still more than two months before harvesting begins, and much can still happen in that time.
More for Spain
This year, Italy faces these challenges: poor fruit setting, significant blossom loss, and floods, which have unforeseen consequences that even endanger several orchards' survival. The Italian pear variety Abate Fetel is, thus, struggling. German consumption figures, where Conference already has a 38% share (19% in season 2016/17), reflect that. France's production potential is considerably lower than last year.
That country's pear harvest forecast deteriorates as you move from north to its southeast. The summer and fall varieties will differ substantially. After a disappointing 2022 harvest, Spanish production (Catalonia/Rioja) should top 190 million kilograms (+53%). That is based on flowering and fruit settings. The Portuguese harvest is approximately seven percent higher than a year ago.
Pears are affordable
The second panel of speakers revealed that boosting consumption is vital. Food was 15% more expensive in the Netherlands in the past 12 months than a year ago. That is due to inflation. However, at €1.70/kg, a kilo of pears costs the same as the previous season. Pears are, thus, affordable. And the sector is encouraged to communicate this to consumers.
Weather plays an important role not only in harvesting, but consumption, too. In Western Europe, spring stayed quite cool and wet until early May, which was favorable for pear sales. The summer fruit supply was still limited in March and April. And Dutch households bought two percent more pears than the season before.
Climate change
Along with discussing harvest estimates, the congress focused on climate change and related projects in Belgium, France, and Spain. Professor Antonio Ruiz de Elvira of the Spanish University of Alcalá de Henares pointed out that opportunities to combat climate change were missed. "There's still the chance to adapt and prepare for the coming rise in temperature. That includes focusing on drought-resistant varieties, installing water drainage and storage systems, and planting many more trees worldwide," he says.
Technical tours
Before and after the congress, delegates visited various pear-growing and marketing companies in the Lleida area. They saw, for example, an orchard with the Elloit pear variety, of which about 30 hectares have been planted in Spain. It is resistant to fire blight, native to California, and can be described as sweet and juicy. In the Netherlands and Belgium, the variety was tested 20 years ago.
But that failed because the fruit dropped just before harvest. What can be done regarding intensive planting? On a 50-hectare orchard, Conference, Rocha, Williams, and Abate Fetel pears are cultivated intensively. The group also visited the largest cooperative in Catalonia, Actel Grup. Some 110 cooperatives supply products to this company. That amounts to 7,500 families with a total turnover of €234 million, 28% of which is fruit.
Interpera 2024 in Portugal
Interpera began in 2008 in Lleida, and thanks to Afrucat, the Catalonian fruit companies association, and AREFLH (the regional producer organizations association) it has become an event that travels through the world's most important pear regions. In 2022, GroentenFruit Huis/DPA held it in the Netherlands. This year, 140 international guests met for an event full of networking, technical information, and knowledge gathering. In 2024, Interpera will remain in Southern Europe when Portugal will host it.
Source: GroentenFruit Huis