CN NZ Piqa Boo pear in China

Shipments of proprietary varieties, Piqa Boo and Angelys pears from Freshmax are underway to China.

The pears, shipped last week, have both seen strong volume growth in production this year.

Freshmax are hoping higher volumes will translate into higher consumer sales and have relevant in-market promotions planned to fuel this growth. This follows last year’s shipment, where demand exceeded supply, so the company has been strategic about this year’s target markets.

“We have targeted the key markets of Taiwan, China, and Singapore,” said Greg Cassidy, export manager – international pipfruit at Freshmax. “These markets maintain a strong tradition of pear consumption and the customers we work with there remain keen to support our programmes and develop these new products in their market.”

The unique look of the Piqa Boo pear is appealing to markets in China, Taiwan, and Singapore, according to Freshmax. Cassidy says the fruit’s juicy texture appeals to premium markets in Asia.

Angelys, being a bronze-skinned, firmer pear, has a broader appeal, the company says. “The timing is good too,” Cassidy noted, “with a natural sales window in Asia between the end of the northern hemisphere supply and the start of the local domestic supply.”