Pears market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The European fresh pear market volume declined from 3.2 million tonnes in 2018 to 2.6 million tonnes in 2019, driven by unfavorable weather conditions that reduced the harvest, particularly in Italy, and structural issues such as decreasing planting areas. The industry responded by introducing new, more productive and resistant pear varieties and seeking new export markets outside Europe.

After recovering to 3.2 million tonnes in 2020, the market contracted again in 2021 and 2022, falling to 2.3 million tonnes by 2022. In 2022, inflation pressured consumer purchasing power, reducing demand especially for premium pear varieties, although sociocultural trends favoring healthy eating provided some support for fresh fruit consumption.

In 2023, the market volume edged down further to 2.2 million tonnes due to continued production declines caused by adverse weather during flowering and significant physiological fruit drop. European pear production kept shrinking, with a major shortfall in Italy. By 2024, the regulatory focus shifted towards water management and soil health, while projects like BioFago were developed to combat fire blight.

Production pears in Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of pears, 2017-2020

World map of production of pears, 2017-2020

In 2019, pear production in Europe reached its lowest point at 2 535 K t, marking a significant decline of 18.1% from the previous year. Production then rebounded in 2020 to 2 853 K t, showing a substantial increase of 12.5% compared to 2019. The peak production was recorded in 2018 at 3 096 K t.

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

Exports pears from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2019, pear exports from Europe peaked at 982 K t, representing a notable increase of 17.9% from the previous year. However, exports dropped significantly in 2020 to 796 K t, a 19.0% decrease year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports overall decreased by 7.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, pear exports from Europe were distributed across a wide range of markets. Brazil accounted for 3.8% of exports in kind, Morocco for 2.9%, and Norway for 1.2%. Together, these three countries made up only 8.0% of total export flows, indicating a highly diversified market structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After declining for two consecutive years, Europe's pear exports in value terms increased in 2020. The export value reached 1 178 M $ US, up by 14.8% compared to 2019. In 2019, the value had fallen to its lowest point at 1 026 M $ US, a decline of 10.9% from the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil, Morocco, and Norway were the largest buyers of pears from Europe in value terms, but they did not dominate the market. Brazil accounted for 4.1% of exports in value, Morocco for 2.2%, and Norway for 1.4%. Together, these three countries represented just 7.7% of total export value, with the remainder spread across numerous smaller partners.

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

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

Imports pears to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Pear imports into Europe increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 1 101 K t, which is 1.1% higher than in 2019. In 2019, imports had risen by 20.4% from the previous year. However, imports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 905 K t, a sharp decline of 22.3% from 2017. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports overall decreased by 5.5%, with a CAGR of -1.9%.

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

The country composition of pear imports into Europe from 2017 to 2020 was highly dispersed. Argentina accounted for 9.4% of imports in kind, South Africa for 8.5%, and Chile for 4.5%. Together, these three suppliers formed just 22.4% of total import flows, with the remaining 77.6% distributed among a wide array of other destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, the value of pear imports into Europe increased in 2020, reaching 1 178 M $ US, up by 15.6% year-over-year. In 2019, the import value had fallen to its lowest point at 1 259 M $ US, a decline of 13.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports in value terms decreased by 2.4%, with a CAGR of -0.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina, South Africa, and Chile played notable but not dominant roles as suppliers of pears to Europe in value terms. Argentina accounted for 10.7% of imports in value, South Africa for 10.5%, and Chile for 6.8%. Their combined share reached only 28.0% of total import value, highlighting a broad and diversified supplier base.

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

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