Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormCanned (Shelf-stable)
Industry PositionValue-Added Food Product
Market
Canned pear halves are a shelf-stable processed fruit product traded internationally under HS 200840 (prepared or preserved pears), used in both retail and foodservice applications. UN Comtrade-based trade data (via WITS) indicates global exports are led by China, followed by South Africa and Southern European suppliers such as Spain, Italy, and Greece. Major import demand is concentrated in high-income consumer markets, with the United States and large European markets (e.g., France and Germany) among the leading importers. Market dynamics are shaped by raw pear crop quality/availability in processing regions, canning capacity, and compliance with international canned fruit standards and national food safety requirements.
Major Producing Countries- 중국Largest exporter of prepared/preserved pears (HS 200840) in 2024 by value/quantity per WITS (UN Comtrade).
- 남아프리카Major exporter of prepared/preserved pears (HS 200840) in 2024 per WITS (UN Comtrade).
- 스페인Major exporter of prepared/preserved pears (HS 200840) in 2024 per WITS (UN Comtrade).
- 이탈리아Major exporter of prepared/preserved pears (HS 200840) in 2024 per WITS (UN Comtrade).
- 그리스Notable exporter of prepared/preserved pears (HS 200840) in 2024 per WITS (UN Comtrade).
Major Exporting Countries- 중국WITS (UN Comtrade), HS 200840, 2024: leading exporter by trade value and quantity.
- 남아프리카WITS (UN Comtrade), HS 200840, 2024: among the top exporters.
- 스페인WITS (UN Comtrade), HS 200840, 2024: among the top exporters.
- 이탈리아WITS (UN Comtrade), HS 200840, 2024: among the top exporters.
- 그리스WITS (UN Comtrade), HS 200840, 2024: among the top exporters.
Major Importing Countries- 미국WITS (UN Comtrade), HS 200840, 2024: top importer by trade value and quantity.
- 프랑스WITS (UN Comtrade), HS 200840, 2024: among the top importers.
- 독일WITS (UN Comtrade), HS 200840, 2024: among the top importers.
- 영국WITS (UN Comtrade), HS 200840, 2024: among the top importers.
- 일본WITS (UN Comtrade), HS 200840, 2024: among the top importers.
- 캐나다WITS (UN Comtrade), HS 200840, 2024: notable importer.
- 네덜란드WITS (UN Comtrade), HS 200840, 2024: notable importer; also a redistribution/logistics hub for EU supply chains.
Specification
Major VarietiesBartlett (Williams), Bosc, Seckel, Anjou, Comice
Physical Attributes- Canned pears are prepared from pears of Pyrus communis or Pyrus sinensis; product is heat processed and hermetically sealed (Codex Standard for Canned Pears).
- Halves style: stems and cores removed and cut into two approximately equal parts; halves may be unpeeled per Codex style definition.
- Quality expectations include normal colour/flavour/odour and texture characteristic of the product; slight pink discoloration is not regarded as a defect (Codex Standard for Canned Pears).
Compositional Metrics- Packing media are defined via Codex Guidelines for Packing Media for Canned Fruits (CAC/GL 51-2003), including water, juice, and syrup categories designated by °Brix ranges.
- Codex Standard for Canned Pears includes minimum fill guidance (product occupies not less than 90% of container water capacity) and minimum drained weight for halves/quartets/slices/pieces (53% of container water capacity basis).
- Codex Standard for Canned Pears permits certain acidifying agents (e.g., citric, malic, lactic acids) under GMP and specifies an L-tartaric acid maximum level (Codex Standard for Canned Pears).
Grades- USDA AMS grades for canned pears: U.S. Grade A (U.S. Fancy) and U.S. Grade B (U.S. Choice), with scored factors such as colour, uniformity, defects, and character (USDA AMS).
- Codex Standard for Canned Pears defines defect types (e.g., blemished/trimmed units, core material, peel, seeds) and sets maximum limits/allowances at the lot/sample level.
Packaging- Hermetically sealed containers (commonly metal cans; sometimes glass jars) intended for ambient distribution and storage.
- Typical label styles include 'halves' and packing media designations aligned to Codex packing media guidance (e.g., water/juice/syrup categories).
ProcessingThermal processing (retorting) before or after sealing to prevent spoilage and achieve shelf-stable canned fruit (Codex Standard for Canned Pears).Process control emphasis on container integrity (e.g., seam/closure quality) and commercial sterility verification for ambient storage.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Orchard harvest (processing-grade pears) -> delivery to cannery -> washing/sorting -> peeling/coring/halving -> filling with packing medium -> exhausting/deaeration -> hermetic sealing -> thermal processing/retorting -> cooling -> coding/labeling -> case packing and palletization -> ambient distribution -> retail/foodservice
Demand Drivers- Shelf-stable convenience fruit for household pantry and institutional catering (schools, hospitals, foodservice).
- Standardized portioning (halves/slices/diced) for desserts, baking, fruit salads, and prepared foods.
- Private label retail programs and distributor-led procurement using standardized specifications (style, packing medium, drained weight, and grade).
Temperature- Unopened product is ambient/shelf-stable; quality is best preserved in cool, dry storage away from excessive heat.
- After opening, product is typically refrigerated and handled as a perishable food.
Shelf Life- Long shelf life when unopened due to hermetic sealing and thermal processing; shelf-life performance depends on process control and storage conditions.
- Once opened, the product is no longer shelf-stable and requires refrigerated storage.
Risks
Food Safety HighThermal processing failures, container integrity defects, or poor hygiene controls can undermine commercial sterility in canned products, creating the potential for severe food safety incidents and rapid market access disruption via recalls or import controls. Botulism prevention is a key public health concern linked to inadequately processed canned foods, underscoring the importance of validated heat processing and robust controls.Use validated scheduled thermal processes, rigorous seam/closure inspection, HACCP-based controls, and finished product verification aligned to Codex hygiene principles and importing-country requirements.
Supply Concentration MediumTrade flows for prepared/preserved pears (HS 200840) are concentrated among a limited set of exporting origins (notably China, South Africa, and Southern Europe), increasing exposure to origin-specific shocks (crop failures, plant outages, or policy/trade disruptions).Qualify multiple origins and pack styles/packing media, maintain dual sourcing for key SKUs, and use diversified logistics lanes for peak demand periods.
Climate MediumPear supply for processing is sensitive to weather extremes (e.g., spring frost during bloom, heat stress, drought, hail), which can reduce yields or shift fruit toward fresh-market channels, tightening processing-grade availability and raising input costs.Monitor seasonal crop outlooks in main processing origins, contract with flexible grade/spec tolerances where safe, and maintain contingency inventories for core markets.
Regulatory Compliance MediumAdditive permissions, packing media designations (°Brix-based labeling), contaminant limits, and labeling rules vary by market; non-compliance can trigger border rejections or relabeling costs even when the product is otherwise safe and shelf-stable.Align formulations and labels to Codex standards/guidelines as a baseline, then perform market-by-market regulatory checks (additives, labeling, and food contact packaging) before shipment.
Sustainability- Packaging footprint and waste management (tinplate/aluminum/steel cans; secondary packaging) and related recycling infrastructure differences by market.
- Water stewardship and climate resilience in pear-growing regions supplying processing plants (irrigation availability, drought, heat and frost variability).
- Energy use and greenhouse gas footprint from thermal processing (retorting) and factory utilities.
Labor & Social- Seasonal labor conditions and worker safety in orchard harvest operations.
- Occupational health and safety risks in canneries (hot surfaces/steam, cutting operations, chemical handling for sanitation).
FAQ
What HS code is commonly used for trade data on prepared or preserved pears (including canned pears)?International trade statistics commonly classify prepared or preserved pears under HS 200840, as reflected in the UN Statistics Division HS detail and UN Comtrade-based WITS trade tables.
Which countries are leading exporters of prepared or preserved pears in recent UN Comtrade trade data?In WITS (UN Comtrade) 2024 data for HS 200840, the leading exporters include China, South Africa, Spain, Italy, and Greece.
Which countries are major import markets for prepared or preserved pears in recent UN Comtrade trade data?In WITS (UN Comtrade) 2024 data for HS 200840, major importers include the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Japan (with additional notable imports into markets such as Canada and the Netherlands).
What international standard defines canned pears and key quality/additive provisions?Codex Alimentarius publishes the Codex Standard for Canned Pears (CXS 61-1981, revised), which defines styles such as halves, outlines quality/defect criteria, and specifies permitted additives and references Codex guidance on packing media for canned fruits.