Now that August has arrived, for many in Belgium, the focus is once again on the new pear season. In the run-up to the start of the season, there is much speculation about the latest harvest, but on Monday, the Conference season will officially kick off for VHM Fruit Trade, and the outlook is quite positive, according to Christophe Van Haelst of the growing and trading company.
© VHM Fruit Trade
"Whereas some time ago, people were talking about a similarly disappointing harvest as last year, this certainly does not seem to be the case. I think in Belgium we are at about 90 per cent of a 'normal' year, and in the Netherlands it is even approaching 100 per cent," he explained. "It all seems to be very good. For the Conference, but also varieties such as Lukassen, Comice, and the club varieties, we see significantly more than in other years."
Christophe is also pleased with the quality. "The growing season went much better than last year, with fewer weather extremes and hailstorms. The recent drought still caused some problems for some, but most growers were able to irrigate sufficiently. The high temperatures of late were also not ideal for pears, but ripening has now started, so there is not much we can do about it. And it doesn't affect quality much either. In general, we have good sizes, and it wasn't a bad thing that there was slight panic about pear volumes at the start, because where they aren't hanging too densely, the pears are nicely sized. In the plots where the trees are heavily laden, sizes are slightly smaller, especially given the summer drought. However, I do expect a bit more 55+ sizes than last year, with a price difference between smaller and larger sizes, which is, of course, normal."
© Van Haelst Fruit
More pears in Europe, but no panic
All in all, the start of the selling season is being approached with optimism. "It looks good," Christophe confirms. "The market is empty, so that we can start with good prices. We have already begun with Triomph, and from Monday, the first Conference will be available. People always want the first ones, so they will sell quickly, but after that, we know from experience that there will be a dip in September. It's still too hot, and people don't really opt for pears yet. That's no 
© VHM Fruit Tradedifferent from other years. Once the weather cools down, from mid-October, the market will start to take shape, and we'll have a clearer idea of the season's prices. At the moment, there is still a bit of a divide. Growers have high expectations, but the trade is not yet willing to pay, so there is little trading on stems."
Harvest forecasts indicate that Europe will have slightly more pears than last year, but Christophe says this is no cause for concern. "We hear that Spain is doing well, though sizes there are still slightly smaller. So Europe does seem to have a bit more volume, but it's certainly not an oversupply. Last year, pears were practically pulled out of your hands, and this year will be slightly different, but that's not necessarily negative. I think we can still trade just fine."
© VHM Fruit Trade
Good quality for Chinese market
Nevertheless, the trader is also increasingly looking beyond Europe. "It is important to always keep seeking new markets and trying to open them up. We have been doing this for several years now and are seeing gradual growth. We have our established European wholesale and retail channels, but every exporter is there, so we are also focusing more on China with our Deliscala brand. There are already great opportunities now that overseas pears are gone, and we are no longer under pressure from them. In addition, the quality of the beautiful, smooth pears this year makes them ideally suited to making the most of these markets."
For more information:
Christophe Van Haelst
Van Haelst Fruit / VHM Fruit Trade
Kieldrechtsebaan 85
BE-9130 Verrebroek, Belgium
Tel: +32 (0)3 336 16 47
[email protected]
www.vanhaelstfruit.be
