"The growing season of the top fruit started with an exceptionally early flowering and has had to withstand many weather extremes. For many growers it has certainly not been an easy season and in a number of cases disastrous due to hail or drought", says Alex van Ieperen of Direct Fruit Services. "Due to a smaller number of fruits on the trees and the many hours of sunshine, we now have a very tasty product with high average sugar content. For pears, the average peel quality is also exceptionally good."
"The current market is difficult due to extreme temperatures for September and, for the time being, enough local product in the various export markets. Another factor here is that there are certainly no fewer pears from a European perspective than last season," says Alex. "The harvest for pears is almost in and there is a generally good harvest. Of course there are regions where it is less, but there are also plenty of areas with an exceptionally good production. The size range is very different this year across the areas, from fine to very coarse. This will have its effect on sales. "
"Hopefully not everyone will keep their refrigeration closed"
"The Conference in particular ended well last season in terms of price. However, this offers no guarantees for the future. We hope that not everyone keeps their refrigeration closed, but that we all participate to get consumption going. If most doors are kept closed in the first half of the season, there is a risk that we will soon have too many in the second half of the season, which will then result in lower prices Fortunately, the second half of last season was generally good for Dutch top fruit exporters."
"We as Direct Fruit Services are known for keeping our word. Cost price pressure at both the grower and service providers has increased sharply in recent years. The pressure from retailers is unabated, in our view, the cooperation of all parties involved is necessary in order to allow the consumer to enjoy our healthy product. It is precisely in our cooperation that we experience that this is no longer self-evident in the sector. Increasingly changing choices are made in the sales strategy. In our experience this is often accompanied by disappointments, both in terms of business relationship as well as in the financial sphere," observes Alex.
"We still see many opportunities in the area of pear sales. We produce a beautiful product that is widely available throughout Europe. As Direct Fruit Services we market the product as widely as possible, both within Europe and beyond! "
For more information:
Direct Fruit Services BV 
Lichtschip 49
3991 CP Houten
Tel: 030-3031400
Fax: 030-3031399
aieperen@directfruitservices.nl
www.directfruitservices.nl