Chilean pear imports “look very good” according to importer Andy Economou of TastyFruitti International. He already has arrivals and while quality and condition are “fantastic” he says the market is slow – not ready for imports because of the high production and availability of Northwestern USA’s pears. “Supermarkets won’t switch to imports until around two to three weeks from now,” he said. “The market isn’t established yet for imports.”
They’ll stay with the (current Northwestern supply) because Economou says as of the middle of January the area there was three times as much availability than last year on Bartletts. “That’s why the delay this year. There’s plenty of fruit domestically. We will have very slow movement at this point but in two weeks sales should pick up.”
According to the Pear Bureau Northwest the 2016—17 season has a total of 18.4 million standard 44lb boxes at the fresh market, which includes conventional and organically grown pears from the Northwest. Now in 2017 USA grown “Bartlett and Comice pears are still available along with Green and Red Anjous and Bosc pears. Some shippers may also have a limited supply of Seckels and Forelles available at this time in the season.”
What will also affect Chile’s pear sales will be when Argentina starts exporting. “It looks like this year Argentinian Bartletts will start around February 20 or maybe even later,” said Economou. He’s not concerned about consumption for his imports, however. “As soon as we get out of the domestic production I think it will be very strong for Chilean pears.”
For more information:
Andy Economou
Tastyfrutti International, Inc.
Ph: 215-425-2777