Belgium: Pear prices slowly increasing

According to Kris Wouters of Wouters Fruithandel it is slowly getting better in the pear trade. "The demand from Russia is good, better than last year at the end of the season. Over the last two weeks prices increased somewhat every auction day. At the moment on average, dependent on quality and size, the price is about 50 cents." Kris does not say much about apples. "There is not much news about that . Things are very difficult on the apple market already during the entire season."

Why is the demand from Russia for pears stronger this year? "Last year we had more quality problems. Especially about firmness. These deteriorated quickly. Last year was a severe winter in Russia causing delays in supply. Then the quality problems on top of that. Russia from one day to the next stopped with our pears and changed to Argentinian product. At the moment less hard fruit is sent to Russia, because they also know that there are sufficient volumes here at a low price. This also plays a role in the fact that prices increase now again."

It is somewhat more positive on the pear market now, but looking back at the season then it did not go well at all. "Most growers worked below cost price most of the season. Also hail damage was severe. Things cannot go on like this." The new season is viewed with mixed feelings by the trader. "Because of the frost in various countries a reasonable amount of damage to apples and pears is expected and as a result the harvest may be smaller than last year. We still have to wait for concrete information."

For more information:
Wouters Fruithandel
Kris Wouters
21, Kasteellaan
3454 Rummen, Belgium
Tel: +32 11586190
Fax: +32 11581041
www.woutersfruit.be