It's the peak season of French pears. Fruits & Compagnie offers five different varieties, all grown in the Alps. The quality and the yield of the pears differ greatly depending on the variety, explains Eric Vandeputte, director of the company.
Williams and Louise Bonne pears are doing well
"For Williams green and red pears, we had a good harvest in quantity and in size. The quality was good too,” says Eric. “Currently, stocks are running out." For Louise Bonne pears, the harvest was a little lower than previous years. However, the quality is good and the season is going pretty well. "
Tallard orchard landscape
"Half a harvest"
For the Doyenné du Comice and the Crassane Pass pears, the situation is very different. "We have a very small harvest: maybe half compared to other years, and of average quality. These are varieties that alternate. In addition, the weather conditions this year have greatly affected the pear trees, which are fragile trees. The Doyennies of the Comice and Crassane Passes season has not yet started.
Fruits & Compagnie also offers Martin Sec, a variety specific to the Alps. "For this variety, we also had a very small harvest. This is due to a reduction in orchards caused by fire blight. The company sells Martin Sec on the Italian and French wholesale markets.
Zero pesticide residues
Fruits & Compagnie is starting the zero pesticide residue initiative. "We started with apricots. Soon, it will be for William Rouge, Louise Bonne, Doyenné du Comice and Golden apples. "
Red Williams pears
The pear of the Alps: a special pear
The company's pears are grown in the Alps. "It's an area with a very particular mountain climate. As a result, flowering is later and products are often denser in flesh. Most Fruits & Compagnie pears are for French supermarkets. "For pears, there is not much export because France is in deficit. We import a lot," explains Eric.
The resort in the Alps: Au Peyron des Alpes
Eric says that the movement of yellow vests is "moderately" harmful to the transportation of Fruits & Compagnie products. "We can more or less deliver our customers. For now, the impact is not catastrophic. "
In addition to pears, Fruits & Compagnie cultivates apricots, peaches, nectarines, cherries and apples. The company will be present at Fruit Logistica in Berlin.
For more information :
Eric Vandeputte
Fruits & Compagnie
Tél : +33 (0)4 66 38 44 03
[email protected]
www.fruitsetcompagnie.fr