"Very pricey" is how the Staay Food Group - Direct Fruit Services' Alex van Ieperen describes the current pear market. "Everything has been working in favor of good pear sales. In hindsight, prices may have started at a too-low level, but we've never had a season that started and ended high price-wise," he begins.
"Graded pears are currently selling at unexpectedly high prices on the open market. That's great for growers who still have pears available because that availability isn't too great anymore. I think the published estimated stock figures are still on the high side, and many parties will find it tricky to meet all their obligations."
"Europe's pear landscape is, however, shifting. The weather extremes seem to make it increasingly difficult to grow pears in southern Europe. So, I expect pear production in countries like Spain and Italy to shift more and more to more northern countries. That will mean an expanding Conference area, especially in Poland. But, the climate is also making it risky there. Conference trees can easily withstand a little frost, but not extremes like those that can occur there," says Alex.
"The extreme weather affects the Netherlands and Belgium too. In places where irrigation is impossible, it's becoming especially difficult to grow pears with the quality customers demand."
Alex is delighted with Staay Food Group's acquisition of Direct Fruit Services. "Direct Fruit Services focused fully on Dutch and Belgian pears," he explains.
"Now, as part of Staay, we can offer our clients a much wider range. Not only Dutch pears but also imported ones and the exclusive Staay varieties such as Early Desire, Dazzling Gold, and Red Conference."
Staay Food Group has been working on developing Red Conference pears since 2018. In recent years, they have made considerable investments to increase acreage, allowing the first commercial harvests to occur. "That's been limited so far due partly to the very young trees. Next season, there should be more product available," Van Ieperen expects.
“There's plenty of demand for Early Desire and Dazzling Gold, but the signs look even better for Red Conference. There's demand for this red variety from all the markets where green Conference pears are sold. Last season's Red Conference introduction at PLUS Retail went very well. However, with the present acreage, we don't yet have the volumes to supply several large retailers."
"Red Conference's big advantage is that it's the only red pear on offer year-round. We, thus, want to expand cultivation further soon. While the yields per hectare are slightly lower than for green Conference, that benefits Red Conference's flavor," Alex concludes.
For more information:
Alex van Ieperen
Staay Food Group – Direct Fruit Services
Tel: +31 (0) 303 031 390
Email: aieperen@directfruitservices.nl
Website: www.staayfoodgroup.com