Pears market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The Chinese pear market demonstrated steady growth from 2018 to 2023, with physical volume rising from 15 594 thousand tons to 19 391 thousand tons. This expansion was primarily driven by consistent annual growth in apparent consumption, supported by ongoing technological improvements in the industry, including the initial promotion of precision farming techniques and variety refinement, which enhanced production stability and fruit quality.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 accelerated the sector's digital transformation, significantly expanding e-commerce sales channels and helping to sustain domestic market recovery. In subsequent years, the industry continued to advance through variety improvement and the application of precise agricultural technologies, while strengthening compliance with international standards like EU pesticide residue regulations, which bolstered export performance and reinforced quality benchmarks for the domestic market.

By 2023, the industry's strategic focus had shifted decisively toward high-quality development, emphasizing scale control, structural adjustment, and enhanced post-harvest handling. Traditional consumption habits, such as eating pears during the 'Jingzhe' solar term, continued to stimulate seasonal demand. The market also saw the rise of integrated business models like orchard tourism and faced challenges related to product authenticity, prompting increased efforts in quality monitoring and brand protection.

Production pears in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, China was the leading producer of pears from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of pears, 2017-2020

World map of production of pears, 2017-2020

China's pear production grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 17 815 thousand tonnes of pears, marking a modest increase of 2.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 8.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 16 078 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 2.0%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the highest growth at 7.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

China's pear production value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 22 052 million US dollars, up by 4.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 28.5%, translating to an annualized rate of 8.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports pears from China

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, China's pear exports rebounded. In 2020, export volume reached 539.4 thousand tonnes, showing a strong increase of 14.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 3.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 470.2 thousand tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 5.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand were the top buyers of Chinese pears by volume. Indonesia accounted for 34.1% of exports, Vietnam for 17.1%, and Thailand for 9.6%, together making up 60.8% of total export volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from China in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

China's pear export value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 667.7 million US dollars, rising by 16.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 22.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 530.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand were consistently the main destinations for Chinese pear exports by value. Vietnam represented 24.8% of export value, Indonesia 24.5%, and Thailand 11.4%, together accounting for 60.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from China in value, 2017-2020

Imports pears to China

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed volatility during these years, with import levels fluctuating significantly. In 2019, imports peaked at 12.8 thousand tonnes, while the lowest point was in 2018 at 7.4 thousand tonnes, resulting in a 1.7-fold difference. In 2020, China imported 10.4 thousand tonnes of pears, down by 19.2% from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 72.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Throughout 2017-2020, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Argentina were the primary sources for China's pear imports by volume. Belgium supplied 44.5% of imports, the Netherlands 20.0%, and Argentina 14.3%, together representing 78.8% of total import volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to China in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, China's pear import value declined. In 2020, imports were valued at 17.9 million US dollars, a decrease of 15.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 44.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.1%. The highest value was in 2019 at 21.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 67.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Argentina remained the main sources for China's pear imports by value. Belgium accounted for 44.1% of import value, the Netherlands for 19.3%, and Argentina for 13.8%, together making up 77.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to China in value, 2017-2020