The global pear market has entered a turning point in the season, with inventories in the Northern Hemisphere gradually declining while exports from the Southern Hemisphere continue to gain momentum. At first glance, overall supply remains sufficient; however, trade is increasingly driven by product quality, storage performance, and buyer behaviour. In 2026, quality segmentation has become the key factor shaping prices and trade flows, EastFruit reports, citing a FreshPlaza market review.
Experts note that the market is moving toward stronger differentiation: high-quality fruit with good storability commands premium prices, while lots with storage risks are sold more quickly and at lower prices. This trend is evident across virtually all major regions.
Europe: stocks decline, prices firm
Across the EU, supply is gradually tightening, supporting prices, although the situation varies by country.
Belgium is showing a recovery after a weak start to the season: lower-quality fruit has largely cleared, demand is strong, and stocks of Lukassen and Doyenné de Comice are nearly exhausted. However, rejection rates for Conference pears remain above normal due to drought and uneven harvesting conditions. Prices appear to have reached a temporary ceiling, and further developments will depend on remaining volumes and growers’ willingness to release stocks.
The Netherlands maintains a stable market, although the gap between premium fruit and lots intended for quick sale is widening. Since the beginning of 2026, Conference prices have increased slightly, but remaining volumes are creating a two-tier pricing structure. The number of batches expected to remain suitable for storage until July is likely to be lower than last year, which may support prices toward the end of the season.
Germany shows adequate supply combined with moderate demand. The market is dominated by Italian Abate Fetel and Santa Maria, complemented by Turkish and Northern European fruit. Prices are generally above last year’s levels.
France is facing limited availability, which is pushing up shipping prices. The Doyenné du Comice campaign is nearing its end, while the market is supplemented by imports from Belgium, the Netherlands, and South Africa.
Italy: 30% production decline supports prices
Italy remains one of the most sensitive markets this season. Pear production in 2025 was 30% lower than the previous year, supporting firm wholesale prices. Abate Fetel remains the main variety on the market, although competition from imports persists.
Particular attention is drawn to the Williams variety, which was the only one to achieve satisfactory production results last year. However, its availability is now nearly exhausted, with the final batches being marketed in early March.
Wholesale prices remain high: in Milan, Abate Fetel reached €3.15/kg, while in Bolzano prices climbed to €3.50/kg, the highest levels among major markets. Nevertheless, even these prices do not always compensate producers for production losses.
Spain: higher harvest fails to restore profitability
Spain presents one of the most challenging situations in Europe. Although production increased compared with last year, volumes remain 17% below the multi-year average. Storage quality issues are significantly reducing the availability of good fruit.
Conference pears account for more than half of total production (126,000 tonnes), but low yields and weak quality have led to a sharp decline in profitability. Producers report stronger competition from Belgium and the Netherlands, which dominate the European market due to higher quality standards.
North America: large crop drives prices down
The market in the United States and Canada is developing in the opposite direction. A strong harvest, particularly in Washington State, has resulted in large volumes of Anjou and Bosc pears, including significant quantities of large sizes.
This has led to noticeably lower prices compared with last year and intensified retail competition, with pears competing against new apple varieties and citrus. Nevertheless, demand remains good, and domestic supply is expected to continue through summer.
Southern hemisphere: supply tightened by weather
In exporting countries of the Southern Hemisphere, the season is being shaped by weather-related challenges.
South Africa expects exports to decline by 4% (to 22.3 million cartons) due to hail, wind, and high temperatures that reduced fruit size.
Argentina started the season earlier than usual, but production declined by 10–20%, although quality is reported as high, with a larger share of premium fruit.
Chile is operating in a context of tighter regional supply, which supports market stability. Exporters are focusing on the most demanded sizes and consistent quality in an effort to maintain prices despite rising costs.
Overall, reduced Southern Hemisphere supply is contributing to relative stability in global trade during the seasonal transition period.
Key trend of the season: quality
The main conclusion of the 2026 season is clear — the pear market is increasingly becoming a quality-driven market rather than a volume-driven one.
✔ Lots with good storability achieve premium prices
✔ Lower-quality fruit is sold faster and at lower prices
✔ Production risks (drought, heat, hail) directly affect profitability
✔ Competition between regions is intensifying based on quality differences
For producers, this means growing requirements for storage technology and quality management, while traders must adopt more precise market segmentation strategies.
In the coming months, the pace of stock depletion in Europe and the volume of Southern Hemisphere shipments will be the decisive factors shaping price dynamics through the end of the season.
Ukraine: potential amid transformation of the global pear market
According to Kateryna Zvierieva, Development Director of the Ukrainian Horticulture Association (UHA), the current situation in the global pear market indeed creates a window of opportunity for Ukraine, but only those producers investing in quality and modern storage technologies will be able to benefit.
“Lower production in Italy, quality problems in Spain, and the gradual tightening of European stocks are creating additional market niches. However, it is important to understand that competition today is no longer between countries in terms of volumes, but between suppliers in terms of consistency and quality. In this regard, Belgium and the Netherlands provide a clear example — it is technological efficiency and storage management that allow them to maintain strong market positions,” Zvierieva notes.
According to her, Ukraine’s pear sector remains less developed compared with apples, while investment in modern cold storage and post-harvest infrastructure is still limited.
“Without addressing these issues, accessing higher-margin export segments will be difficult. At the same time, the country has significant potential. Ukraine has competitive advantages in production costs, land availability, and geographic proximity to EU and Middle Eastern markets. With investment in intensive orchards, storage technologies, and producer cooperation, Ukrainian companies could significantly strengthen their positions in regional markets of Eastern Europe,” Zvierieva emphasises.
The expert adds that strategically it is crucial to understand that in the coming years the profitability of the pear business will depend less on yields and more on post-storage quality and the ability of producers to manage sales timing. This will be the key factor determining the competitiveness of Ukrainian producers.
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