The pear market started recovering about a month ago. “We are actually getting demand from all sides. Both from new markets and markets nearer-by such as Germany, Spain and France,” says Aart Blom from Fruitpartners Blom. “The quality of the pears is not bad at all. After the heat during the harvesting period, we expected more problems would arise, but it has actually been quite good so far. Furthermore, the pears taste good.”
Currently the pears are sold at prices between 45-60 cent and 40-50 cent for unsorted product, depending on size. “We are very busy at the moment, because many sorting companies are on a break because the Polish employees go home. Besides, supermarkets have a number of promotional actions at the moment,” says Aart. He has good hope that pear prices might increase somewhat again in the new year. “Looking at European stocks, the pears should do quite nicely, on the condition that we continue to clear properly together. If everyone thinks prices are going to be expensive, trade should not be halted, because then we would all be left holding the baby.”
Apple sales are disappointing compared with pear sales. “Many countries are self-supporting, and when we have to consume the apples in our own countries, it becomes more difficult. Hopefully there will be more opportunities later in the season, because sales are very disappointing right now,” Aart continues. “Good quality Elstar of the first picking is the exception, they are really peaking now. Those shop sales have increased as well, thanks to the good quality. But price differences between better and lesser quality is very large. The trade in Boskoop and the various mutants of Jonagold and Golden is considerably calmer.”
For more information:
Fruitpartners Blom
Hooiweg 16a
4158 LE Deil, the Netherlands
Tel: +31 (0)345 651 311
[email protected]
www.fruitpartnersblom.nl