The pear sectors in Belgium and the Netherlands are anticipating excellent quality and larger crops this season following favorable weather with plenty of sunshine.

Although both nations will be unable to export to Russia as usual, suppliers in Belgium at least remain optimistic about the potential for new marketing opportunities.

"No matter how you look at it, any market falling away for a limited amount of time is challenging but it also creates opportunities," remarks Marc Evrard, managing director of Be Fresh Asia and market development manager at Belgische Fruitveiling, Belgium’s leading fruit grower organization.

Although Evrard admits the Russian ban will "slightly hamper" Belgium's plans for this season, he says the industry is still looking to export roughly 80% of its total volume in 2014, which is in line with last season.

According to the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA), Belgium will produce 340,000 metric tons (MT) of pears this year, up 8% from 315,000MT in 2013.

Traditionally, Russia absorbs between 25% and 35% of the export crop but Evrard points out that there is some breathing space for now because the nation only enters the market later in the season.

"For the moment there is no real pressure yet since the best quality fruit will be stored in controlled atmosphere," he tells www.freshfruitportal.com.

Talks in response to the ban are currently taking place between producer organizations in Belgium and the European Union in order to allocate and fine-tune support measures.

Already, Evrard says a decision has been made not to harvest a certain percentage of the crop this year to help alleviate the immediate situation.

"This will take away some of the necessity to ship more to other markets...existing markets in Europe are expected to take more local produce as well.

Indeed, lower prices in Europe will make European fruit more attractive both at home and abroad, according to Evrard, which in turn will make the European market less attractive for Southern Hemisphere shippers.

But even without the Russian ban, Evrard says Belgium was facing a bumper crop with general price level lower than the previous two seasons when prices were at a record high.

"We’re looking at a specifically beautiful crop, with the best quality in years," he notes.

"Total production was originally forecast to be 15% higher than the previous season. Sizes are ideal with a good spread over the different major calibers."

Opportunities in Asia

Thanks to excellent quality and lower prices this season Evrard believes the prospects overseas also look promising, particularly in Asia where Belgium is experiencing steady growth.

"Certain shifts in the market such as lower production in China and India will definitely create opportunities," he explains.

"We are optimistic about the outlook for this region thanks to the extremely good quality of our fruit, lower prices for our pears and the combination of a lower crop in China for apples and pears and a failed crop for apples in India.

"Also, China will be sending more fruit to Russia thus making the local fruit more expensive for local buyers."

Pear suppliers in the Netherlands will also have access to China for the first time this year following the signing of a deal with Chinese authorities in 2013.

The Chinese government visited the Dutch pear sector recently, according to GroentenFruit Huis (the Fresh Produce Centre), an association formed by the Dutch Produce Association and Frugi Venta.

Up until now, figures from GroentenFruit Huis indicate that the Netherlands has mainly distributed its pear crop locally, with Russia taking 23% of the sendings in 2013, followed by the U.K. (with 18%), Germany (12%) and France (7%).

In view of Russia’s ban major Dutch grower-exporter The Greenery declined to comment on the prospects for this season, other than to confirm that the outlook is now unclear.

"A few weeks ago the expectations for the season were positive but at this very moment, due to the consequences of the Russian boycott of European fruit and vegetables, it is very difficult to provide a reliable outlook," explained Chantal Oostvogles, manager of corporate communications.

Dutch prospects

The Netherlands is on course to produce 336,000MT of pears in 2014, a 3% increase in comparison to 2013 when exports reached 140,000MT, according to WAPA.

Production-wise, GroentenFruit Huis claims 2014 will be a solid and early season for the Dutch topfruit sector, with good quality, shelf life and flavor.

"The Dutch apple and pear harvest will be good this year," explains Wilco van den Berg, a market analyst at the organization.

"The harvest was two weeks earlier than in an average year and four weeks earlier than 2013 when it was late due to the cold spring."

Following warmer and sunnier conditions in 2014 van den Berg says production started in the second half of August.

"As a result, this year there is a longer marketing season in which to sell Dutch apples and pears," he adds.

Conference is by far the largest pear variety produced in the Netherlands, representing almost 80% of the volume. GroentenFruit Huis estimates the 2014 Conference crop will rise by 4% to 265,000MT.

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