Australian fruit growers have said they are disappointed supermarket chain Coles is promoting imported Chinese Ya pears while local pear supplies are available.
Coles was last week selling the imported pears, labelled with the Great Wall brand name, for A$1.19 per kg, reported the Weekly Times.
“It’s disappointing, given they keep talking about supporting local product and there are still adequate supplies of local pears available,” said Victorian grower John Corboy.
Local Packham pear supplies are still available from the season finished in March, and the Williams variety will begin harvesting next week, he said.
Consumers have reportedly not been enamoured with the imported pears, prompting Coles to promote them at a special price to move stocks before local pears appeared in greater volume.
“We only import produce if the line is not available locally, or is between Australian growing seasons,” Coles media relations manager Jim Cooper told the Times.
“We carry them for a short period, usually 6-8 weeks from early December, to cover the period when local pear supply is limited. They represent less than 3 per cent of our annual pear sales.”
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