In W41 in the pear landscape, the Netherlands' pear harvest is estimated to increase by 3% year-over-year (YoY) in 2023 and has remained stable at around 10 thousand hectares (ha) for the past four years. Organic production accounts for 3% of apples and 1% of pears, while Dutch consumers increasingly favor locally grown apple and pear varieties. Dutch apples are primarily sold within the European Union (EU), while Dutch and Belgian Conference pears dominate the EU pear exports, particularly to Belarus and the United Kingdom (UK).
Due to strict contracts, optimal harvesting, and extended storage capacity, smaller Belgian pears are commanding higher prices this 2023 season. Despite generally larger pear sizes, smaller fruits are more expensive in 2023 because of fixed contracts. Larger pears, often picked at the season's end and unsuitable for storage, face price pressure and are sold urgently, contributing to the premium for smaller sizes. Additionally, pear volumes are lower in 2023 compared to the previous season.
In China, the pear harvest season started a week earlier due to an early ripening period impacted by unfavorable weather conditions. The production in many producing areas in China has decreased, maintaining high purchase prices. The demand for fresh pears in global markets remains high, with export volumes higher than in 2022. Hebei Xionghan Agricultural Products Inc. reported that the purchase price of Crown pears remained high, about a 15% YoY increase. However, Ya pear variety purchase prices have been low, dropping by 15 to 30% YoY due to declining market demand and quality issues from pests, diseases, and adverse weather. Meanwhile, the Gong pear variety's price increased significantly in 2023 due to increased competition among domestic merchants despite its previous price parity with Ya pears.
Moreover, Dangshan County in Anhui Province in China is gaining recognition as the 'pear capital of the world.' It has over 26.7 thousand ha dedicated to pear cultivation, emphasizing the Suli pear variety, known for its high quality. The county produces around 910 thousand metric tons (mt) of crisp pear variety annually, generating substantial brand and industry chain values.
Lastly, Washington, the largest pear producer in the United States, is anticipating a stable pear production in 2023, with an estimated 8% increase YoY. The harvest is projected to reach about 15 million 44-pound (lb) boxes of fruit, with approximately 12% grown organically, appealing to more consumers. Weather conditions are favorable for the 2023 harvest, which is expected to be completed by October 15, 2023.