World Pear Situation

 

Northern Hemisphere

 

Production

 

Increased pear production in the Northern Hemisphere in 1999/2000 mainly reflects larger crops in China, the world’s leading pear producing country, the United States, and France. As is the case with its apple industry, China’s pear production has increased steadily during the last years, the result of extensive planting during the 1980's and early 1990's. Ya pears (or Duck pears) account for most of China’s pear production. France’s 1999/2000 pear crop is forecast to increase 25 percent from the 1998/99 crop. The hike in French pear production in 1999/2000 is mainly due to a large summer pear crop, which normally accounts for more than half of the total French pear crop. The major summer pear varieties grown in France are Williams and Jules Guyot. Pear production in the United States in 1999/2000 is now forecast to increase 3 percent to 890,450 tons. Larger than expected pear crops are forecast in the states of Washington and California, while production in Oregon is expected to decrease for the second consecutive season. Washington, California, and Oregon account for more than 95 percent of the U.S. pear crop. Bartlett varieties account for 55 percent of the total U.S. pear crop, followed by Anjou, which account for 30 percent of U.S. output.

 

 

Exports

 

Northern Hemisphere pear exports in 1999/2000 are forecast at 961,520 tons, up 3 percent from the previous season’s shipments. Increased exportable supplies are anticipated in China, Spain, France, and the United States. China’s pear exports are forecast to increase slightly to 110,000 tons in 1999/2000, the result of a larger crop. Spain’s pear exports are forecast at 100,000 tons, up 5 percent from 1998/99 shipments. Major export destinations for Spanish pears include Italy, Greece, and Portugal. French pear exports are forecast to increase more than 40 percent to 65,000 tons, reflecting the larger 1999/2000 pear crop. The1999/2000 U.S. pear export forecast was increased 11 percent to 150,000 tons, which is 8 percent more than the volume exported in 1998/99. Increased production in the states of Washington and California, major U.S. pear exporting states, has improved overall U.S. pear export prospects in 1999/2000. Strong demand for U.S. pears continues in 1999/2000 from major customers, such as Mexico, Canada and Venezuela. This trend is expected to continue through the end of the 1999/2000 season.

 

 

Southern Hemisphere

 

Production

 

Pear production in the Southern Hemisphere for the 1999/2000 season (crop harvested in early-2000) is forecast at 1.2 million tons, down 3 percent from the 1998/99 output. Argentina’s pear production, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, in 1999/2000 is forecast at 479,115 tons, down almost 20 percent from last season’s output. Frosts during September and October of last year in the major western growing regions reduced Argentine 1999/2000 pear production prospects. More than half of the Argentine pear crop is exported fresh and the remainder is consumed fresh in the domestic market or processed into juice or canning.

 

The 1999/2000 Australian pear crop is forecast to decrease 5 percent to 170,000 tons, the result of an "off" year in its production cycle. Around 85 percent of Australian pears are grown in the Victoria region. Australia’s major pear varieties include Williams, which are mainly used for canning, and Packham, grown for the fresh market. Overall, around 40 percent of the Australian pear crop is consumed on the fresh domestic market, 45 percent is processed, and the remaining 15 percent is exported.

 

Exports

 

Pear exports from Southern Hemisphere countries in 1999/2000 are forecast at 580,500 tons, down 3 percent from 1998/99 shipments. Exports from Argentina, the leading exporter in the Southern Hemisphere, are forecast to remain practically unchanged at 275,000 tons. The bulk of Argentina’s fresh pear supplies is marketed February through April. Major export markets are Brazil, countries in the European Union (EU), and the United States. However, sales to Brazil have been hampered by that country’s economic woes.

 

Pear exports from Chile, the second largest supplier in the Southern Hemisphere, are also forecast to remain unchanged in 1999/2000 to 156,500 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.

 

Pear exports from South Africa, the third largest exporter in the Southern Hemisphere, are forecast to decrease 8 percent in 1999/2000 to 130,000 tons, the result of increased fresh and processing domestic demand. Countries in the EU remain South Africa’s major export markets.

 

(The FAS Attache Report search engine contains reports on the deciduous fruit industries for more than 20 countries, including Chile, Mexico, and Japan. For 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: Wednesday, February 20, 2002