In 2015, domestic pear production reached 764,000 tons, 4% more than last year and 2% more than the 2010-2013 average.
All the main varieties did well with respect to the previous year, when production was lower except for Abate Fetel.
In Emilia-Romagna, the leading productive region, the harvest reached 515,000 tons, i.e. +2% with respect to 2014 and +5% on the 2010-2013 average.
Abate Fetel and William B.C. both had the opposite trend with respect to the last season - quantities of the former decreased (-8%) whereas the latter increased (+7%). Production of other varieties also increased. In terms of production areas, the trend is stable for Abate, while all other varieties saw a decrease except for Carmen.
In the Veneto region, quantities exceeded 85,000 tons, +8% with respect to 2014. The production of William B.C. and Abate Fetel was similar to last year, while Conference did better. Cultivated areas decreased for William and Conference and increased a little for Abate.
In mid-December, sales of the Abate variety were in line with previous years as 40% of the production had already been placed on the markets.
Talking about domestic consumption, retail purchases between January and October 2015 saw an 8% increase with respect to the previous year. The same variation occurred during September and October 2015.
After a long period of crisis, it finally seems that the pear sector is doing much better.
