Apparently, part of the Belgian wholesale distribution doesn't believe it is necessary to protect Belgian cuisine. Marc Pairon, who started the initiative "Snoep zelfstandig, EET MEER PEER!" (Snack independently, EAT MORE PEARS!" in response to the Russian trade boycott came to this conclusion
Unlearned
Despite the hype around pears there are few or no Belgian pears to be found on some shelves. "Due to the Russian boycott we were forced to face the truth: we have forgotten to buy local products. This means that the domestic market has shrunk and we are dependent on countries like Russia. The public seems to realise this more than the wholesale," according to Pairon, who confirms that far too often there isn't a single locally grown pear on the shelves of large shop chains.
Threat
This is particularly concerning because Belgium threatens to not only lose a centuries old fruit cultivation, but also thousands of jobs. "It is incomprehensible that in this difficult time for the pear sector there are still shops that don't have a single Belgian pear," says Marc Pairon. "Belgium is one of the largest producers of pear in the world and at the same time one of the smallest consumers."
Call
Marc Pairon is therefore calling to the wholesale distribution. "Let us support the Belgian pear and put them on shelves en masse. Why not sell pears grown by our neighbours instead of foreign pears? Pears are a forgotten fruit and belong to our culinary heritage. Let us all make sure that heritage doesn't disappear."
100 pear growers are aware of the disaster looming over the sector and joined the initiative "Snoep zelfstandig, EET MEER PEER!". Unions like VLAM, Boerenbond, Algemeen Boerensyndicaat, Agora Group, Lekker van bij ons, Recht Van Bij De Boer are also showing their sympathy for Marc Pairon's initiative. "This is of course very encouraging, but it's certainly not enough. We need everyone and we have to eat Belgian pears at least twice a week or we could lose a centuries old fruit cultivation," concludes Marc.