The top fruit season is coming to an end. It was going well for pears for a while, but as of two weeks ago the market situation has taken a turn for the less positive. "The prices are under pressure. This is partially to do with the presence of summer fruit and there are also different qualities on the market, including bad ones," explains grower and trader Yves Wolfcarius.
May was good
He indicates that many of those in the market were positive. "Most expected it would go well with the pears. The situation for the good pears isn't disastrous, but it is more difficult for the lesser qualities." In the past years he sees a trend develop in the pear market. "In the month of May the situation is usually still positive, but then it decreases." When it comes to quality it has been very good this year according to the grower. "Despite the warm temperatures during harvest it was okay. There have been few to no structural quality problems so far. At the end of the season its pears are often less good and there are parties like this sporadically in the market."
New harvest
He looks towards the coming harvest with mixed feelings. "There will be a much lower harvest of apples. Jonagold and Boskoop are particularly affected. Thankfully we were able irrigate a portion. Fewer of the pears will be lost. It will be a difficult season. Especially as we now have to say 'no' to customers who we have had a good relationship with for year."
Colruyt
Colruyt Group reported at the end of April that they have set up a project with various growers for two new apple varieties: the Magic Star, developed by Fresh Forward, and the Coryphée, developed by the family company ZOUK bvba. "We entered into collaboration with Colruyt and will be producing these two varieties. We think it's fantastic that Colruyt is working on such great local projects. We are very enthusiastic about working on this. The first harvest will be in a few years. The flavour of both varieties is great. The best part is that we are guaranteed a spot on the shelf and Colruyt is engaging financially by taking on the cost of licencing and marketing."
