The Eden Gold™ pear plantings and volumes are set to grow in leaps and bounds from next year. Fresh from a trip to South Africa, Ido Ben Dor, from Ben Dor Fruits and Nurseries in Israel, who developed the pear variety TP15-41 marketed as Eden Gold, says "Plantings will increase around the world. There is good progress with plantings expanding in the major territories of Italy, Spain, France, and Portugal. We're planting around 200, 000 and will move to 500,000 trees in Europe in the coming year, where our plantings will be around 200 producing hectares in two years' time."
Tastings were held in the U.S.
Major pear growers in the U.S. are also very interested and have started planting the Eden Gold pear on a semicommercial level too. "Interest in the Americas is growing fast for Eden Gold. We had a tasting event in Washington State also with very good feedback. The potential in the U.S is not just in Washington State, but in other states as well," explains Ben Dor.
New trees in South Africa.
Besides the plantings that are doing well across Europe, he says trial plantings are progressing well in the key growing areas of South Africa where it is managed by TopFruit. "In South Africa, the progress is a bit slower with a few thousand trees still under evaluation. Most trees are one to two years old, while some trees are three years old. In about three years we'll see more trees planted. The variety is performing very well in South Africa. It is planted in the Western Cape growing areas of Ceres, the Koue Bokkeveld, Grabouw, Paarl, Wellington, Stellenbosch, and Woleseley. Although the Eden Gold pears were only introduced a few years ago in South Africa there is big interest."
He says they presented the Eden Gold pear fruit for tasting in the most important fairs during 2024, including Fruit Logistica Berlin, Macfruit Italy, Fruit Logistica Asia Hong Kong, Fruit Attraction Madrid, Interpoma Bolzano. "It is important to give the variety the place it deserves to let the buyers understand the flavour and unique eating experience."
The Eden Gold pear is becoming sought after on the commercial side as well says Ben Dor. "On the commercial side Eden Gold pears can be found in Spar, Aldi, and Coop, we already have a few hundred tons this year. The consumption is doing well, and the customers and retailers are very happy. We received very positive feedback, also from the final customer, we do see the potential for increased volumes while demand is expected to remain far above the supply for the coming years. Currently, we don't have enough plants for growers and fruit for retailers. The demand is high and we don't have enough supply yet," states Ben Dor.
Expanding into South America
The Eden Gold pears were introduced into South America this past winter says Ben Dor. "The trees are currently under quarantine. Thereafter, it will go for tissue culture multiplication and plant production. We have several companies and exporters ready to join the club and plant. We are under the same process to introduce our pears in several more territories in the Americas."
On the home front of Israel, Ben Dor says the Eden Gold Pear 2024 season was good. "In general the season was good, we had our challenges, it is not over yet, but things are better, brighter," concludes Ben Dor.
For more information:
Ido Ben Dor
Ben Dor Fruits and Nurseries
Tel: +972-4-6931161
[email protected]
www.bendorfruits.com