This year, Hungary is bracing for its lowest pear harvest in the last decade, according to data from the National Chamber of Agriculture (NAK) and the Hungarian Vegetable and Fruit Trade Organization (FruitVeB). The country has seen a continuous decline in pear cultivation area and production volume, with an even further reduction anticipated this year. Presently, pears are cultivated across 1,886 hectares, featuring numerous landscape varieties, yet the yield potential has been on a downtrend, exacerbated by the aging of orchards and deteriorating plant health.
While spring frost damage was largely avoided, the pear orchards could not escape the subsequent challenges posed by heat and drought. Following brief intense rains in May, a prolonged dry spell ensued, coupled with threats from the pear leaf flea. Adequate irrigation emerged as a crucial requirement for a passable harvest, which was also hastened by three weeks due to early spring and the subsequent hot, dry conditions. The fruit quality is notably inconsistent, heavily reliant on the technological sophistication of the orchards and expert care. Moreover, the early harvest compelled pickers to work under extreme temperatures, while cold storage facilities struggled to accommodate the influx of overheated fruit.
On the pest management front, the pear aphid remains a formidable adversary, with the battle intensifying due to the phased withdrawal of pesticides. The sector is also grappling with labor shortages, particularly acute during the harvest period, and a dwindling producer base with no signs of new entrants or generational turnover.
Source: Trade Magazin