The 2016/17 USA Pears export season ended early with the arrival of the Southern Hemisphere crop on international markets.
Shipments to USA Pears' overseas destinations were winding down by the start of February, USA Pears director of international marketing Jeff Correa told Fruitnet.
The early end to the season meant that USA Pears pulled back on promotions, which usually go through to February and March, Correa explained.
USA Pears volumes were lower than last year due to a shorter Green Anjou crop, which was around 1m boxes down on 2015/16.
'It has been a challenging year with smaller volumes and therefore higher prices, plus a strong dollar,' Correa said. 'The higher prices meant customers bought fewer volumes. And in India, China and Taiwan, we also saw more competition from Europe, which was seeking alternative markets from Russia.
'China is a new market for us, and India is also increasingly important, despite the 30 per cent tariff which presents challenges.'
The future of USA Pears exports to Mexico, by far its biggest market absorbing 50 per cent of the export crop, is uncertain after the election of president Donald Trump.
'If Trump withdraws from the North American free trade agreeement (Nafta), exports to Mexico will probably once again face a 20 per cent import tariff which will have a major effect on pricing,' Correa said.
USA Pears export volumes are expected to rise next year thanks to a bigger crop, he added.
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