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World Pear Situation

Northern Hemisphere Briefs

Northern Hemisphere pear production to increase slightly in 2001/02

Pear production in selected Northern Hemisphere countries in 2001/02 is forecast up 2 percent from 2000/01 to nearly 13.0 million tons, a record. Production is forecast to increase in China, the world’s major producer. A lower pear crop is anticipated in Italy, the world’s second largest producer. China’s pear production is forecast to increase 5 percent to a record 8.8 million tons, more than 60 percent of 2001/02 selected countries pear output. Italy’s pear production, the largest in the EU, is estimated at a little over 900,000 tons, 3 percent below production in 2000/01. U.S. pear production in 2001/02 is now forecast to remain at the 2000/01 level of around 880,000 tons.

Northern Hemisphere pear exports are forecast to decrease slightly in 2001/02

Northern Hemisphere pear exports in 2001/02 are forecast at about 957,00 tons, down 1 percent from the previous season’s shipments. Decreased exports are anticipated from the Netherlands and Italy. On the other hand, pear shipments from China and Spain are forecast to increase 19 percent and 41 percent, respectively, while shipments from the United States will likely remain unchanged at around 168,000 tons.

Pear shipments from China have increased from practically nothing 10 years ago to about 41,000 tons in 2000/01. Fruit quality in China continues to improve, contributing to the expansion of  China’s exports to Southeast Asian countries and Russia.

U.S. pear shipments in 2001/02 are forecast at 168,000 tons, practically unchanged from the record shipped in 2000/01. U.S. pear exports in 2001/02 will continue to benefit from the industry’s market promotion efforts and from funds assigned under the Market Access Program (MAP), which in fiscal year 2002, are estimated at $1.2 million. Exports have become vital for the success of the U.S. pear industry, generating a significant and growing share of the income of pear farmers. Canada and Mexico together account for more than three-quarters of total U.S. pear shipments.

New assessment on U.S. pears to pay for research; rule also establishes definition for organic pears

On February 6, 2002, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published a final rule establishing a new assessment of $0.03 per standard box of the Beurre d'Anjou variety of pears grown in Oregon and Washington. The new assessment will increase the total assessment on this variety of pears to $0.52 per standard box of conventionally produced and handled pears. This assessment excludes organic pears.

While the income derived from the basic assessment will continue to fund regular programs, the new assessment (approximately $372,000) will be used exclusively to fund the collection of data on Ethoxyquin residue on stored d'Anjou pears. Ethoxyquin is an antioxidant that is registered for use on pears in the control of superficial scald, a physiological disease affecting the appearance of certain varieties of stored pears. The supplemental rate will not be applicable to d'Anjou pears that are organically produced, as Ethoxyquin is not used in their handling and storage.

The collection of residue data would satisfy requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency pertaining to U.S. pesticide tolerance and registration. In addition, the data will be used in conjunction with the Codex Alimentarius, which establishes maximum residue limits used as tolerances in many nations receiving shipments of Oregon and Washington d'Anjou pears.

The rule also defined organic pears as pears that have been certified by an organic certification organization currently registered with the Oregon or Washington State Departments of Agriculture, or such certifying organization accredited under the National Organic Program. This definition was established primarily so that the new assessment could be properly administered.

Chile approves imports of apples and pears from Oregon and Idaho

Chile recently agreed to allow imports of apples and pears from Oregon and Idaho. Before this decision, Chile only allowed apples and pears from the state of Washington. Access for the three states is limited to approved production areas with no apple maggot quarantines in place. This new market opportunity is expected to eventually result in combined Oregon and Idaho apple and pear sales of $2 million annually. USDA continues to work with Chile’s Ministry of Agriculture for access for apples and pears from California. In marketing year 1999/2000 (July-June), Washington state apple shipments to Chile totaled 129 tons, valued at nearly $50,000. A lower Washington state apple crop, higher prices, and a stronger U.S. dollar vis-à-vis the Chilean peso limited shipments to Chile last season.

The Netherlands; doorway for fruit trade in the EU

The Netherlands is a large importer and exporter of pears and other fruits. Pear imports are usually about 100,000 tons, with countries in the EU supplying about 25 percent and non-EU countries, such as South Africa, Argentina, and Chile, supplying the remaining 75 percent. Most Chilean pears destined for the EU market are traded via The Netherlands.

In the 2000/01 season, Dutch pear imports decreased 14 percent, with imports the from Southern Hemisphere countries decreasing by 6 percent. Imports from Southern Hemisphere countries will likely be hampered by high freight costs. However, favorable currency exchange rates, especially with the Argentine peso, could offset high transportations costs and motivate increased pear imports in the Netherlands.

Source: Eurostat   * Estimates

About two-thirds of Dutch pear production is exported. In 2000/01, Dutch pear exports totaled nearly 165,000 tons, down from the record 175,000 tons shipped in 1999/2000. Exports normally fluctuate between 80,000 tons and 100,000 tons. On average, about 80 percent of Dutch pear exports are delivered to other EU member countries. The United Kingdom is the most important export destination, followed by Germany. In the last two seasons, France and Sweden have also purchased larger volumes of Dutch pears. Major non-EU markets include Russia, which accounts for two-thirds of exports to third countries.

Mexico; growing market for U.S. pears

Pear production in Mexico is not very significant. As such, Mexico continues to rely on imports, mainly from the United States. Mexico’s pear imports in 2001/02 are estimated at 110,000 tons, unchanged from last season, as demand is expected to remain strong. However, if the dollar/peso exchange rate in 2002 remains stable, pears will likely continue as affordable as in 2001, a situation that could spur import demand. The United States is expected to continue as Mexico’s main supplier of fresh pears. Market promotion efforts by the U.S. pear industry are continuing in the supermarkets and street markets of several Mexican cities. This season, U.S. pear promotional efforts will include use of TV and magazine advertising.

Mexican pear consumption in 2001/02 is forecast to remain at around 142,000 tons, reflecting affordable prices and steady demand. The consumption estimate for MY 2000/01 has been revised downward, due to slightly less demand than expected, but remains 16 percent above consumption in 1999/2000. The number one pear preference among Mexicans is the Anjou variety, followed by other varieties like Bartlett, Bosc, and Red Anjou, which have increased in sales over the past few seasons. Most U.S. pears come from Washington, Oregon and California. The import duty on pears under NAFTA is zero.

Chile accounts for about 5 percent of Mexican pear imports. Mexico’s pear imports from Chile in 2000/01 were up more than 40 percent from the previous year. High transportation costs make Chilean pears in the Mexican market more expensive than those from the United States. Chilean producers do not conduct marketing or promotional campaigns in Mexico. Chilean pears do not yet pose a serious threat to U.S. pears in the Mexican market and, as such, the presence of U.S. pears is expected to continue growing. Argentina’s pears are beginning to increase their presence in Mexico. However, Argentina accounts for less than 1 percent of total Mexican pear imports. The duty on pear imports from Argentina is also zero.

U.S./Colombia joint research center established

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has collaborated with their Colombian equivalent, the Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA), to expand existing ICA sections and combine them into a new Colombian Center for Phytosanitary Excellence. The Center would be located in Bogotá in the same building as the current APHIS/ICA cooperative office, which focuses on Foot and Mouth Disease eradication. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has agreed to provide funding over three years for the initial cost of furnishings and equipment as well as the principal operating costs for the Center for three years. 

The Center will have primarily two main functions: 1) to develop and maintain a database on the species and locations of plant pests in Colombia, and 2) to construct draft pest risk analysis (PRA) for various exotic fruits which Colombia would like to export to the United States. These draft PRAs would then be used to define possible pest mitigation methods (treatments, free areas, systems approach, etc.) for the defined pests.  

Southern Hemisphere Briefs

Southern Hemisphere pear crop expected to decrease in 2001/02

Pear production in selected countries of the Southern Hemisphere in 2001/02 is forecast at 1.2 million tons, down 7 percent from last season’s output. Production declines are expected in the principal southern producing countries of Argentina, South Africa, and Chile. 

Argentina’s pear production, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, in 2001/02 is forecast at 520,000 tons, 9 percent below the 2000/01crop. The majority of Argentina’s commercial pear production is located in Rio Negro (about 75 percent). Other important pear-producing regions in Argentina include Neuquen and Mendoza, accounting each for about 12 percent of production. More than half of the Argentine pear crop is exported fresh and the remainder is consumed fresh in the domestic market, processed into juice, or canned. 

Chile’s 2001/02 pear crop is forecast to decrease 7 percent to 232,000 tons. There are more than 36 pear varieties grown in Chile. The Packham’s Triumph variety, grown mainly for the fresh market, accounts for about 45 percent of the Chilean pear crop. The Beurre Bosc variety makes up about 25 percent of Chile’s pear production and exports.

But Southern Hemisphere pear exports to increase in 2001/02 

Although production will likely be lower, pear exports from selected countries in the Southern Hemisphere in 2001/02 are forecast to increase to 606,500 tons, 7 percent above last season’s shipments. The increase mainly reflects expected larger shipments from Argentina and South Africa.  

Argentina’s pear shipments in 2001/02 are forecast at a record 350,000 tons, 12 percent more than shipments in 2000/01, based on continued favorable peso exchange rate vis-à-vis other currencies. Argentina’s fresh pear marketing season is year round with the bulk exported February through April. Major export markets are Brazil; countries in the EU, mostly Italy; and the United States. 

Pear exports from Chile, the second largest exporter in the Southern Hemisphere, are forecast to decrease in 2001/02 to 124,000 tons. The EU is Chile’s largest export market, followed by the United States. During the last few years, sales to the Far East and Latin American markets have also shown  growth. 

Pear exports from South Africa, the third largest exporter in the Southern Hemisphere, are forecast to increase 4 percent in 2000/01 to 105,000 tons, the result of more exportable supplies at lower prices. Countries in the EU remain South Africa’s major export markets. South Africa’s pear exports to the Middle East are also strong, with a 90-percent market share in the region. 

Change in Brazil’s phytosanitary requirements for imported pears jeopardized U.S. seasonal sales 

Brazil’s plant quarantine agency (DDIV) eliminated sodium o-phenyl phenol (SOPP) as a treatment for fire blight on pear imports because the chemical is not registered in Brazil. Although the SOPP treatment was originally part of a 1996 plant health technical agreement, the Government of Brazil apparently never established a tolerance level for the chemical; therefore, the chemical was never registered. Brazilian federal laws prohibit the use of an unregistered chemical for phytosanitary treatment purposes. Deep chlorine remains as an option for treatment of fire blight on pear imports. 

This change in import regulation hurt U.S. pears seasonal sales to Brazil, since more than 90 percent of U.S. pear shipments to Brazil each year take place during the October to December period. U.S. pear shipments to Brazil during the period of September 2001 to January 2002 were down 70 percent from the same period last season. Although chlorine treatment remained as an option, it was not a viable option for most U.S. pear exporters, since much of the fruit destined for Brazil was treated with SOPP before the announcement was made. Brazil is the third largest market for U.S. pear sales, with marketing year 2000/01 shipments totaling more than 7,000 tons, with an associated value of $3.1 million. 

South Africa’s deciduous fruit industry established a Joint Marketing Forum with producers, exporters, and government 

In 2001, South Africa’s deciduous fruit industry established a Joint Marketing Forum with producers, exporters, and government to improve coordination of exports. However, exports are expected to show only a slight increase, as mildew infections in some pear production areas, are expected to reduce the volume of production and export supplies. Exports could increase if the Rand exchange rate continues to decline. In addition, exports will be assisted by a venture between producers, exporters and government to form a joint Marketing Forum for better export coordination. 

South Africa’s deciduous fruit industry is independent from government intervention. The government’s involvement is strictly focused towards  international promotion of South African products through trade fairs, trade missions, and primary market research. The industry’s new mission includes training of previously disadvantaged producers for the export markets, and consolidating a central data system. 

The number of deciduous fruit farmers in South Africa is declining as many fruit producers liquidated their businesses following financial institutions’ devaluation of agricultural lands in some areas, and the consolidation of small farms to form larger production units. 

(For information on production and trade, contact Samuel Rosa at 202-720-6086. For information on marketing, contact Ted Goldamer at 202-720-8498. The FAS Attache Report search engine contains reports on  deciduous fruit for more than 20 countries. Also, visit our apple web page at: http://www.fas.usda.gov/htp/horticulture/apples/html)

Last modified: Wednesday, July 21, 2004