Interpera forecasts a shortage of pears in Europe next season.

Portugal, France and Italy are recovering their pear production, Benelux estimates its own fall of 30%. According to data presented today in the framework of the International Pear Congress intepera, held in Óbidos (Portugal) and coordinated by AREFLH, estimates of a double-digit drop in European pear production are confirmed. This could lead to a lack of availability of the pear varieties on the markets by 2025. The climatic incidents have particularly affected Northern Europe with a significant drop in the region of Benelux, the main producing area on the continent.

241,000 tonnes predicted in Belgium

Belgium estimates a production of 241,000 tonnes, 30% less than last season's 345,000 tonnes, due to climatic instability. As far as the Netherlands is concerned, the damage has been caused by a relatively warm winter that has led to very early flowering and the incidence of stony weather and, given that the forecast dates are not advanced, they believe that it will not be a full harvesting season. In 2023, 358,000 tonnes of pears will be harvested. Both countries have experienced a considerable drop in the flowering of their main variety, the Conference pear.

25% drop in Spain, only partial recovery in the other countries.

The overall fall in Spain is 25% due to the effects of the water stress suffered by the trees last season, which has affected the level of flowering and quality. Harvest predictions drop from 164,000t to 141,000t (only the departments of Catalonia and La Rioja, the main producing areas, are included). Good quality and good fruit size are also observed.

As far as Portugal, France and Italy are concerned, these three countries are expecting to recover their production in line with last season. Portugal has had few hours of cold this winter and has had a late and very long flowering period. The alternation factor with some plantations will prevent these countries from harvesting their productive potential. Portugal will harvest 123,000t, 15% more than in 2023 (107,000t). France has increased its forecast by 28% from 104,000t to 133,000t, recovering from last year's much lower crop. The weather has been cold and wet at flowering and some frost has been recorded. Italy, although it has suffered some incidence of heavy plugs and temperature changes during the spring that have caused fruit to fall, will also increase last season's crop to 184,000t.

The Conference dominates the European varietal map

With a record 2023 crop of almost one million tonnes, the Conference variety is the main pear produced in Europe and is mainly grown in Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain. In second place is the Williams pear produced mainly in Italy, France and Spain and in third place is the Rocha pear which is being produced 100% in Portugal and is the dominant pear in this country.