"Over the past three to four weeks, the pear market has completely turned around," says Christophe Van Haelst of VHM Fruit Trade. "After Berlin, stock figures were released showing that there was 1 percent less volume in the Netherlands than last year. That's a positive sign in itself, but people haven't forgotten that we had large leftover volumes at the end of last season. So, even with 1 per cent less, we could have been looking at an oversupply again. Still, there's real momentum in the market now, which suggests that the stock forecasts may not have been entirely accurate. At the moment, we're definitely dealing with a demand-driven market," explains the trader from Verrebroek, Flanders.
"I can't speak for colleagues, but with our stocks, we can continue right through to the end," Christophe adds. "Last year, we saw a small price increase around this time, but prices collapsed toward the end. That said, if the stock estimates turn out to have been off, this year could end on a much more positive note." He believes that the arrival of overseas volumes doesn't significantly change the situation. "We see those every year, but it's a different kind of pear. It's more of a diversification of supply rather than real competition."
Christophe also points out that the Belgian Conference pear still has a unique position. "We're also receiving some overseas pears here, but the quality doesn't compare to Belgian produce. There are some excellent batches, but also some that leave much to be desired. Even though they're fresh pears, I think we can continue to distinguish ourselves in terms of quality. The Conference variety also stores very well. The skin quality is holding up. There is some loss, but it's relatively limited, so shelf life remains strong in our case."
© Van Haelst Fruit
"So the overseas pears are really just a diversification option on the shelves. The Lukassen and Comice have been cleared out, and the overseas supply fits nicely into that gap. Maybe toward the end of the season we'll see a bit more competition from them, especially if prices rise due to reduced Conference supply. In that case, some may switch to the overseas pears because of the price, but for now, we're holding our own quite well. It's difficult to predict exactly how the final months will unfold, but I don't think there are many free Conference pears left. So I'm optimistic about a good finish to the season."
For more information:
Christophe Van Haelst
Van Haelst Fruit / VHM Fruit Trade
Kieldrechtsebaan 85
BE-9130 Verrebroek, Belgium
+32 (0)3 336 16 47
+32 (0)477 77 77 36
info@vanhaelstfruit.be
www.vanhaelstfruit.be