“Fierce precipitation descended upon Italy a few weeks ago. The local pear production has been strongly affected by this, as well as by immense hail damage,” Johann Rapali, CEO of Cavalleri & CO. KG from Munich, explains. “Especially for the type Abate Fetel, the Italian producers are counting on a yield reduction of around 30 percent.” Especially the area Emilla-Romagna in Northern Italy has been heavily affected. A fruit agency from South Tyrol even counted on several years of damaged harvest. The German fruit importer says that with other types, we will need to wait and see. Conclusive predictions are still pending.
The firm Cavalleri has specialized in the trading of pears. Their assortment currently only includes offers from Italy. “At the moment, we are making various types of pear. For example Abate Fetel, Boscs Kaiser, Santa Maia, Carmen, as well as green and red Williams Christ – all in various sizes.”
Demand
While there is less demand for Boscs Kaiser pears, the types Santa Maria and Williams Christ are faring better, the wholesale trader from Munich explains. “Later in the seaon, Abate Fetel pears also do very well. Especially because, similarly to Kaiser, it is a winterproof pear. The availability of the type Santa Maria usually ends around the end of December, start of January. These are then replaced by other types.”
Prognosis
According to Rapali, an exact prognosis regarding the course of the season cannot yet be made this early in the season. Until now the season has been proceeding as normally as possible. “The months of December, January and February are always decisive times in the season,” the wholesale trader explains. “For it is decided in these months whether the season will be better or worse.”
