Market Trends of Fresh Pears Industry
Growth in Exports of Fresh Pears
Pears, offering a mere 100 calories per serving, stand out as a rich fiber source and a commendable provider of vitamin C. They boast a sodium-free, cholesterol-free, and fat-free profile, with a potassium content of 190 mg, making them increasingly popular in vegan diets. In 2023, China emerged as the world's leading exporter of fresh pears, raking in USD 536,158 thousand, marking an 8.3% rise from USD 495,271 thousand in 2022, as per ITC Trade Map data. China's dominance in fresh pear exports stems from its robust production, primarily catering to Southeast Asian nations, Kyrgyzstan, the United States, Russia, and others. Southeast Asia alone represented 66% of China's fresh pear export value, according to ITC Trade Map.
Following China, the European Union stands as a significant exporter of fresh pears, with the Netherlands leading the exports, with USD 517,366 thousand in 2023, according to ITC Trade Map. The Netherlands strategically exports fresh pears to key European nations, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Poland, Italy, and France, establishing itself as a pivotal hub for fresh pear exports in the region. Verhoeckx Mushrooms & Fruit BV emerged as the key exporter of fresh pears from the Netherlands.
Argentina and South Africa also play significant roles in the fresh pear export arena, with export values of USD 217,616 thousand and USD 195,932 thousand, respectively, in 2023, according to ITC Trade Map. Major importers of fresh pears from Argentina include Brazil and the United States. Highlighting the significance, USDA Dietary Guidelines suggest that pears can mitigate the risk of certain chronic diseases. This endorsement fuels the nation's robust domestic production and consumption of pears, subsequently driving imports. Therefore, the demand for fresh pears from export market, profitability for farmers with exports and evolving trend of fruits consumption are estimated to further drive the export potential from key countries in the coming years.
China Dominated the Market with High Production
China maintains its position as the world's largest producer and exporter of pears. Recent market trends show a slight increase in fresh pear prices, approximately 10%, driven by factors such as rising temperatures leading to a peak sales period, increased domestic demand due to the Qingming Festival, and higher overseas demand from Muslim countries for Eid al-Fitr. Merchants have successfully boosted sales through both online and offline channels. The rapid growth of fresh food e-commerce has enabled consumers to easily purchase a variety of Chinese fresh pears through digital platforms.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the country's fresh pear production reached 19.85 million metric tons in 2023. The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) anticipates an increase in China's pear exports compared to the previous year's frost-damaged crop. Dangshan county in east China's Anhui Province is the major region in the country for pears which is emerging as the "Pear Capital of the World". According to recent data, at the end of 2022, the pear cultivation area in Dangshan spanned over 26,666 hectares where more than 60% of the dedicated to the cultivation of suli pears, or crisp pears.
China primarily cultivates crisp Asian pear varieties, including snow pears, crown pears, and nanguo pears. In 2023, growing conditions remained relatively normal in most major pear-producing regions, except for Shandong province experienced some high temperatures and dry periods during summer. The Qiuyue (Autumn Moon) variety has seen rapid expansion in Shandong, Henan, Anhui, and Hebei provinces. Many farmers in Laiyang, Shandong, have replaced local varieties with Qiuyue pears, due to their higher quality. Therefore, the demand for pears from international markets, availability of wide varieties and favorable domestic conditions for pears production are anticipated to drive the production in the coming years.
