Northern Hemisphere Pear Situation and Outlook

Production

 

Northern Hemisphere pear production continues its upward trend in 2000/01

 

Pear production in selected Northern Hemisphere countries in 2000/01 is forecast at 12.2 million metric tons, up 3 percent from the 1999/2000 output. The increased mainly reflects a larger crop in China, the world’s leading pear producing country, and in Italy, the second largest producer. On the other hand, pear production in the United States, the third largest producer, is forecast to decrease slightly in 2000/01 to 910,000 tons.

 

Chinese pear production is forecast to increase to more than 8 million tons in 2000/01. China’s pear production has increased steadily during the last years, the result of extensive planting during the 1980's and early 1990's. Most of China’s pear crops are grown by many individual growers on small parcels of land. Large scale commercial orchards are rare. Ya pears are the most popular variety grown in China, accounting for about 30 percent of production. Other important varieties include Su, Xuehua, and Pingguo pears.

 

Italy’s pear production, the largest in the European Union (EU), is expected to have bounced back this season from the reduced 1999/2000 crop. As such, pear output in Italy in 2000/01 is forecast at 923,000 tons, up almost 20 percent from 1999/2000, but below the exceptional production level in 1998/99. The region of Emilia-Romagna in Northern Italy continues to account for the bulk of total Italian pear production. Abate and Williams are the two major pear varieties grown in Italy.

 

U.S. pear production in 2000/01 is forecast to decrease slightly to 910,000 tons. The downturn reflects less production of Barlett pears, the main produced variety, accounting for more than half the U.S. annual pear crop. Production of U.S. Barletts in 2000/01 is forecast at 490,000 tons, down 8 percent from 1999/2000. Normally, about three-quarters of the U.S. Bartlett crop is processed. However, economic difficulties facing some processing industries in northern California will likely divert more Barletts to the fresh domestic and export markets in 2000/01. Washington, California, and Oregon account for more than 95 percent of total U.S. pear production.

 

 

Trade

 

Northern Hemisphere pear exports forecast to increase in 2000/01

 

Northern Hemisphere pear exports in 2000/01 are forecast at about 980,000 tons, up 5 percent from the previous season’s shipments. Increased exports are anticipated from the Netherlands, Italy, and China. Pear shipments from these countries in 2000/01 will likely benefit from expected larger crops and the related increase in exportable supplies. On the other hand, U.S. pear exports in 2000/01 are forecast to hold at the 1999/2000 level.

 

Dutch pear exports in 2000/01 are forecast at 181,000 tons, up more than 20 percent from shipments in 1999/2000. A larger pear crop, more favorable prices, and continue strong demand from major customers will likely boost Dutch pear shipments in 2000/01. The United Kingdom is by far the most important destination for Dutch pears, followed by Russia, Sweden, France, and Norway. The Netherlands is also a transshipment venue for fruit trade in the EU. Almost all Chilean pears destined for the EU market are traded via the Netherlands.

 

Italy’s pear exports are forecast to increase to 160,000 tons in 2000/01, as a result of a larger crop and the return to more normal exportable supplies. Germany is Italy’s major pear market, accounting for about half the volume of total shipments.

 

Chinese pear exports are forecast to increase to 150,000 tons in 2000/01, mainly the result of a larger crop. Pear shipments from China have increased considerably in recent years. For example, China exported about 140,000 tons of pears in 1999/2000, compared to practically nothing 10 years ago. Fruit quality in China continues to improve, and, as such, expansion of its export markets is expected to continue in 2000/01, especially to neighboring Asian countries and Russia.

 

U.S. pear shipments in 2000/01 are forecast at 155,000 tons, up 1 percent from the 153,000 tons shipped in 1999/2000. Larger supplies of fresh-marketed pears, the diversion of more processing pears into the fresh market, and continued strong demand from important customers, such as Mexico, would likely contribute to strong U.S. pear exports in 2000/01. Exports have become vital for the success of the U.S. pear industry. Today, the percentage of U.S. pear production going into export has increased dramatically and a larger share of the income of pear farmers originates from export sales. Canada and Mexico together account for more than three-quarters of total U.S. pear shipments.

 

U.S. pear exports in 1999/2000 recorded the second largest volume and value on record

 

U.S. pear shipments in 1999/2000 totaled 152,954 tons, valued at $87 million, the second largest volume and value on record. Larger-than-expected crops in the states of California and Washington, major U.S. exporting states, and the related decrease in prices, boosted U.S. pear shipments in 1999/2000. Exports to Mexico increased 40 percent to 73,191 tons, valued at $38 million, both a record. Moreover, Mexico became by far the main destination for U.S. pears, buying half the volume of U.S. pear exports in 1999/2000. U.S. sales to Canada, the second most important market, totaled 48,066 tons, valued at $31 million, up 15 percent and 7 percent, respectively, from 1998/99. Increased U.S. pear shipments in 1999/2000 were also reported in Venezuela, which became the third largest market with more than 5,000 tons, valued at $3 million. On the downside, sales to Brazil decreased more than 60 percent in 1999/2000 to 4,058 tons, valued at $2.4 million. The ongoing economic problems facing Brazil combined with a stronger U.S. dollar have hampered U.S. pear shipments to that country in recent years.

 

The completion of trade agreements and increased promotion activities under the Market Access Program (MAP) have been key elements in the success of U.S. pear exports in recent years. Almost 20 percent of the U.S. total pear crop is now going to export, compared to 5 percent twelve years ago. Moreover, the share of U.S. exports as a percentage of pears produced for fresh use only reached more than 30 percent in 1999/2000. Continued supplies of good quality fruit, strong demand from leading customers, and market promotion efforts should continue to boost U.S. pear sales in foreign markets.

 

 

Southern Hemisphere

 

It is too early to make a reliable forecast for the Southern Hemisphere countries for the 2000/01 season (harvest in 2001). Forecasts will be available in the March 2001 issue of World Horticultural Trade & U.S. Export Opportunities.

 

(The FAS Attache Report search engine contains reports on the Deciduous Fruit industries for more than 20 countries, including China, Italy, and France. For further information on production and trade, contact Samuel Rosa at 202-720-6086. For information on marketing, contact Sonia Jimenez at 202-720-0898. Also, visit the pear web page at: http://www.fas.usda.gov/htp/horticulture/pear.html)

 

Last modified: Thursday, April 06, 2000