Information for fruit and vegetables business in CIS
Production of major pear varieties to be lower in Italy
According to WAPA (World Apple & Pear Association) estimates, Italian pear production will be significantly lower year-on-year with a decrease in harvested volumes being registered for all major pear varieties.
In particular, Italian growers will pick just 170,000 tonnes of Abate Fetel pears that is 55% lower compared with the previous season when production reached 378,000 tonnes. This variety should also be noted as the most popular one among Italian farmers.
Production of Williams BC pears (the second most grown variety in the country) is estimated to decrease by 18% to 152,000 tonnes, while last year harvested volumes amounted to 185,000 tonnes.
The Conference pear crop will also drop year-on-year. Growers will pick only 88,000 tonnes of these pears that is 22% lower compared with the result of the previous season (112,000 tonnes).
In general, WAPA analysts expect the 2012/13 Italian pear season to be characterized by crop failure with total production amounting to just 608,000 tonnes (34% lower year-on-year and the lowest over the past decade).