🔵 Executive Summary

The global pear market is entering a transitional phase as Northern Hemisphere storage volumes gradually tighten while Southern Hemisphere exports gain momentum.

Across Europe, trade is increasingly shaped by quality segmentation and storability, with well-preserved fruit commanding stable premiums. North America remains competitively supplied following a strong domestic crop, while Argentina, Chile, and South Africa report tighter output due to weather-related impacts.

Although global supply remains broadly sufficient, pricing structures are becoming more differentiated as the season progresses.

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🌍 Europe: Gradual Tightening, Stronger Quality Segmentation

Market Overview

• Stocks declining steadily across major producing regions.

• Clear distinction between fruit for quick sale and long-storing lots.

• No immediate oversupply risk.

• Storage quality increasingly determining price stability.

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🇧🇪 Belgium: Market Regains Momentum

After a difficult start to the season:

• Lower-quality lots have cleared.

• Lukassen and Doyenné de Comice nearly exhausted.

• Conference pears moving well, though rejection rates remain elevated.

Drought and staggered harvest timing caused uneven quality, reducing late-season release volumes.

Prices currently cover picking and storage costs, but full storage compensation remains uncertain. Organic volumes are transitioning toward overseas supply.

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🇮🇹 Italy: Lower Production Supports Firm Prices

• 2025 production down 30% year-on-year.

• Abate Fetel dominates availability.

• Williams nearly depleted by early March.

Wholesale price ranges (Week 9):

Despite firmer prices, some producers struggle to offset earlier production losses.

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🇳🇱 Netherlands: Conference Prices Edge Higher

• Stable season overall.

• Slight increase in Conference box prices.

• Two-tier pricing structure emerging:

  • High storability fruit = stable to firm pricing.

  • Quick-sale lots = spot pressure.

Earlier-harvested fruit showing shorter shelf life, increasing logistical urgency once storage cells are opened.

Availability of fruit suitable for storage through July is lower than previous years, potentially supporting late-season price firmness.

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🇩🇪 Germany: Stable Supply, Moderate Demand

• Italian Abate Fetel and Santa Maria dominate.

• Turkish Santa Maria and Deveci supplement supply.

• South African Williams and Rosemarie entering.

Demand remains subdued, though prices are generally above last year’s levels.

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🇫🇷 France: Limited Supply Lifts Shipping Prices

• Doyenne du Comice campaign ending.

• Shipping prices increasing due to tighter availability.

• Imports from Netherlands, Belgium, and South Africa supplement supply.

Retail trade remains steady.

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🇪🇸 Spain: Profitability Pressure

• Production higher year-on-year but still 17% below multi-season average.

• Conference pears account for 126,000 tons (over half of total).

• Storage quality issues reducing commercial volumes.

Spanish Conference pears mainly serve the domestic market. Demand remains quiet, and profitability challenges persist.

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🌎 North America: Competitive Retail Environment

• Strong domestic Washington crop.

• Promotable volumes of Anjou and Bosc.

• Bosc characterized by larger sizes.

Domestic supply expected to ship through:

• Bosc: June/July

• Anjou: August

Prices significantly below last year due to ample supply. Imported Southern Hemisphere fruit (e.g., Bartlett) expected in early spring.

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🌍 Southern Hemisphere: Tighter Supply Supports Stability

🇿🇦 South Africa

• 2026 export forecast: 22.3 million cartons (–4%).

• Weather damage reduced Forelle and smaller fruit sizes.

• Domestic price: R8.20/kg (~€0.40/kg).

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🇦🇷 Argentina

• Production down 10–20%.

• High quality, higher premium share.

• Strong Brazilian demand.

• US demand slower but expected to improve March–April.

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🇨🇱 Chile

• Operating in tighter Southern Hemisphere context.

• Focus on high-demand sizes.

• Stable demand in Latin America and North America.

• Balancing shipments against US domestic stocks.

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🧭 CMB Market Interpretation

The global pear market is currently characterized by:

• Northern Hemisphere storage tightening.

• Clear quality-based price segmentation.

• Southern Hemisphere supply constraints preventing oversupply.

• Competitive retail pricing in North America.

Short-Term Outlook:
Stable pricing with quality premiums.

Medium-Term Outlook:
Late-season European storability will determine firmness.

Global Balance:
Tighter Southern Hemisphere volumes offset Northern stock declines, maintaining equilibrium.

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📊 Risk Assessment

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🏁 Conclusion

The pear market is transitioning smoothly between hemispheres, with tightening European storage stocks and modest Southern Hemisphere supply declines maintaining overall balance.

Quality segmentation is now the primary pricing driver, and the availability of fruit suitable for extended storage will shape late-season stability.

Despite regional profitability pressures, the global pear market remains structurally stable as it moves toward the next supply phase.