World Pear Situation

 

 

Pear production in selected countries in 1998/99 is forecast at 12.6 million metric tons, up 7 percent from the 1997/98 output. The upturn mainly reflects a sharp increase in pear production in major producing countries, especially in Italy and China. On the other hand, selected countries’ pear exports in 1998/99 are forecast 1 percent below the previous season’s shipments. Reduced exports from the United States and Spain will likely more than offset higher exports from China and Italy. The 1998/99 U.S. pear export forecast has been reduced 13 percent to 135,000 tons, down 18 percent from last season’s record shipments. Smaller production in major U.S. pear exporting states (Washington, California, and Oregon); the related increase in U.S. prices; improved supplies from the EU; and economic difficulties facing principal U.S. markets, such as Brazil, have slowed U.S. pear exports in 1998/99. Washington, California, and Oregon normally account for more than 95 percent of U.S. pear production and exports. U.S. principal pear customers are Canada, Mexico, and Brazil, in that order.

 

Northern Hemisphere

 

Increased pear production in the Northern Hemisphere in 1998/99 mainly reflects larger crops in China, the world’s leading pear producing country, and Italy, the principal producer in the European Union (EU). Good weather across China’s deciduous fruit growing areas (Shandong, Shaanxi, Henan, and Liaoning provinces) is expected to boost Chinese pear production in 1998/99. Italy’s 1998/99 pear crop is forecast to increase more than 60 percent from the 1997/98 weather-reduced crop. On the other hand, pear production in the United States in 1998/99 is forecast to decrease 11 percent from the 1997/98 output. Smaller pear crops are forecast in the states of Washington, California, and Oregon, due partly to cool, wet weather during bloom and pollination. Washington, California, and Oregon account for more than 95 percent of total U.S. pear production.

 

Northern Hemisphere pear exports in 1998/99 are forecast at 900,580 tons, down 2 percent from the previous season’s shipments. Increased exportable supplies from China and Italy will likely be offset by lower shipments from the United States. Italy’s pear exports are forecast to recover to about 170,000 tons in 1998/99. Italian pear shipments declined significantly last season as exportable supplies were hampered by a smaller crop. China’s pear exports in 1998/99 are forecast to increase to 130,000 tons, the result of a larger crop. On the other hand, U.S. pear shipments in 1998/99 are now forecast at 135,000 tons, down 18 percent from the record 165,000 tons shipped in 1997/98. Reduced production in the states of Washington, California, and Oregon, major U.S. pear exporting states, the related increase in U.S. pear prices, improved production prospects in the EU, and the economic problems facing some U.S. principal markets, such as Brazil, will slow U.S. pear exports in 1998/99. Italy, the United States, and China combined will account for about half of Northern Hemisphere pear exports in 1998/99.

 

Southern Hemisphere

 

Pear production in the Southern Hemisphere for the 1998/99 season (crop harvested in early-1999) is projected at 1.3 million tons, slightly higher (3 percent) than the 1997/98 output. Argentina’s pear production, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, in 1998/99 is forecast at 536,550 tons, unchanged from last season’s output. More than half of the Argentine pear crop is exported fresh and the remainder is consumed fresh in the domestic market (25 percent) and processed into juice or canning (the remaining 25 percent). Chilean pear production in 1998/99 is forecast at 258,500 tons, also unchanged from last season’s crop.

 

Pear exports from Southern Hemisphere countries in 1998/99 are forecast at 605,000 tons, unchanged from 1997/98 shipments. Exports from Argentina, the leading exporter in the Southern Hemisphere, are forecast to decrease slightly to 300,000 tons. The Argentine fresh pear marketing season is year round with the bulk marketed February through April. Major customers are Brazil, the EU, and the United States.

 

Pear exports from Chile, the second largest supplier in the Southern Hemisphere, are also forecast to decrease slightly in 1998/99 to 150,000 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 showed significant growth. Although there is no mandatory quality control program for pears, most producers have agreed to join voluntary quality control programs to increase average export prices and avoid the negative economic returns of the past.

 

 

Table 1: Pears: Production, Supply and Distribution in Selected Countries (PDF format)
Table 2: U.S. Pear Exports, Marketing Years 1995/96-1997/98 (PDF format)

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)

Last modified: Tuesday, May 08, 2001