The pear market is currently quite gloomy. “The price level is good, but as we have a lot of class II in Belgium, foreign buyers prefer to source at home rather than buying abroad. Especially if the prices are relatively high for a lower quality product,” explains Katrien De Backer, whose parents run the fruit company Amelinckx with her uncle Jos Amelinckx. She herself is employed in the fruit and vegetable trade.
“Preparing for the new pome fruit season has been hectic. We had a very wet winter of 2023-2024. No extreme cold, but damp, sad and dark weather. With these milder winter temperatures, we have witnessed extremely early flowering of the pear trees, with the first flowers even budding as early as mid-March. By mid-April, the trees were in bloom, as if they had already put on a magnificent wedding dress. As tradition, first the pears, then the apples. »
Less quality fruit
“The growing season alternated between rain and drizzle. Going from flower to fruit must not have been an easy task during all those hours, days and weeks of humidity. Bees and bumblebees preferred to stay warm in their nests rather than fertilize and collect soaked pollen. During fruit set, and just after, the brand new fruits suffered an episode of frost and several showers of hail. This situation lasted for months, a tragedy for producers and an ideal situation for the development of diseases, with all the consequences that ensue. This required frequent, adjusted and careful care, as well as crop and climate protection interventions. A major challenge, so to speak. »
De Backer points out, however, that the situation can vary considerably from region to region. “This very special spring also manifested itself in all neighboring countries, some a little more than others. Even in our own country there are big differences depending on location, variety, and even within a plot there can be such a difference in fruit quality. What we can all say with certainty is that the pome fruit harvest is less. Very good quality fruits will become rarer, apples will finally bring in money and the size of pears will be very high, thanks to harmonious natural thinning and sufficient absorption of humidity in the remaining fruits on the tree. »
Big price differences
“For pears, sales are therefore viable, but rather moderate. We also experienced a calm period with All Saints’ Day and before the Madrid show, so the market is quite gloomy. But what goes is sold at reasonable prices. However, there is a clear difference in price between the Conference and the Doyenné du Comice, which is significantly more expensive. The reason for this is of course that the volume is significantly limited. These varieties are also much more sensitive to spring weather conditions, which has an impact on prices today. Furthermore, in Belgium, but also in the Netherlands, many aging orchards are not renewed, because the variety is much more sensitive. So one year the trees are full and the next year there is nothing. Producers no longer want this uncertainty. »
When it comes to apples, De Backer sees things more positively. “Everything is going much better. A lot of trees have been uprooted in recent years, and so we see that Jonagold’s volume is significantly less this year, which allows for good prices. It is different for club varieties, because supply is then aligned with demand, which makes it possible to set prices. Jonagold acreage has decreased and demand is good this year, with good prices. »
For more information:Amelinckx Asparagus & Fruit
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