In the US, Pear Bureau Northwest has released its estimate for the 2010/11 fresh pear campaign, with volumes across Washington and Oregon expected to fall in line with the five-year average.
However, the projected total of around 18.5m standard box equivalents represents a fall of 8 per cent on 2009's crop, partly the result of unseasonably cold and wet weather conditions throughout the Pacific Northwest during the spring, as well as trees resting following record production levels last year.
Harvesting gets underway in mid-August, with the Green Anjou variety remaining the most abundantly grown variety, although volumes are expected to decrease by 10 per cent year-on-year.
Organic pear production is showing a slight increase this year, Pear Bureau Northwest reported, with 5 per cent growth expected, while winter varieties are expected to drop 1 per cent.
'Pears continue to be a popular fruit with consumers the world over,' said Kevin Moffit of Pear Bureau Northwest. 'To capitalise and expand on their popularity we have many progressive and innovative programmes in place to grab the attention of the consumer as well as retailers and foodservice operators.'
Export promotions are set to take place in 39 countries through the campaign, with top export markets including Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Colombia and Hong Kong, with India proving a strong growth market for the industry.
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