Origin Fruit Direct traditionally receives a set programme of import pears in the spring. "We aren't a large player in the imported top fruit, but have loyal growers who send us a certain volume each year. At the moment we have sold all Williams and Rosemarie pears from South Africa and in week 12 we will receive the first Forelle and Packhams pears," says Randolf Aaldijk of Origin Fruit Direct.
"Supermarkets in Europe sometimes need an alternative to the Conference pear and this is why the coloured imported pears are a welcome addition. You mainly see this in the Granny's in apples, but our customers are also always open to Williams pears," says Randolf. "We receive stable volumes. If wanted to get more it would be possible, but we want to be able to defend the product well. So we only scale up the volumes on a programme basis."
South African growers have increasing choice in sales. Like you see further regulation in citrus and grapes, this is also the case with top fruit. Other markets are opening or are already open and people have more customers in the Middle and Far East, Asia and the United States," continues the importer. "You also see more attention for the cultivation of coloured pears in Europe and a country like Chile also sends more new varieties."
Scandinavia, the Baltic States, Germany and Belgium are the main destinations for Origin Fruit Direct's imported top fruit, topped up with Williams pears for the French market and some demand from Spain. "Normally we also foresee the Swiss market of imported top fruit, but those borders are still closed. The prices are at a stable level, especially for the coloured pears. The shorter shelf life of the Williams pears can traditionally cause some price pressure."
