Conference forces out southern hemisphere pears

5-11-2025
The position of the Netherlands and Belgium as suppliers of Conference pears is ever getting stronger. This is at the cost of import pears from the southern hemisphere. In both countries, the production of Conference showed an upward trend during the past few decades. In addition, quality and guarantee of supply became better, as a result of which Conference pears are now available practically all year round. In other words: supermarkets see less and less reason, in the second half of the sales season of Dutch and Belgian pears, to replace Conference by Williams, Packham’s Triumph and Abate Fetel. Also in the 2024/2025 season – with a relatively small European pear production – Chilean, Argentine and South African exporters did not manage to increase their sales to Europe. (Source: EFM)