With the pear season in full swing, Mouneyrac Frères, a wholesaler present at the Rungis market, is giving priority to the French products of its range. The efforts being made to renew the aging French pear orchards mainly concern new club varieties such as the Fred, QTee, and Angys. However, most pears consumed in France are traditional pear varieties such as the Conference, William, Comice, and Guyot," explains Serge Mouneyrac.
Traditional pear varieties are "excellent if well prepared"
The new varieties, according to the director of Mouneyrac Frères, respond mostly to the consumer's desire to enjoy tasty pears. "I am under the impression that consumers are looking for good pears rather than new varieties. Yet, within the existing range of pears, some traditional varieties are in fact excellent if prepared well. William, Comice, Passe-Crassane, and even well-ripened Conference pears are very tasty varieties. As a wholesaler, it is also our job to add value to the production and provide segmentation for the client. However, it is not always easy for consumers to find good, ready-to-eat pears in all distribution channels. In supermarkets, buyers prefer hard fruit to limit losses in the stores, although lately, efforts have been made to offer ripened pears in trays."
Increasing competition from other winter fruits
While French pears are no longer threatened by other origins, competition from winter fruits is increasing. "Good pears are still a niche market, and people who want them are prepared to pay the price. But for some years now, more and more winter fruits have been competing with pears. With seedless grapes, green or yellow kiwis, and exotic and citrus fruits such as the Orri mandarin, which can be in season until May, consumers have more choices. Fruit consumption in winter has not increased. However, French consumers are among the most spoiled in Europe, if not the world, because of the wide range of varieties available, the richness of terroirs, the professionalism of French producers, and the most stringent phytosanitary standards in the world."
For more information:
Serge Mouneyrac
Mouneyrac Frères
[email protected]