Pears market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh pear market in Southern Europe saw considerable volatility in volume from 2018 to 2023. After reaching 1.2 million tons in 2018, consumption fell to 994 thousand tons the following year. A recovery to 1.16 million tons occurred in 2020, but was followed by another drop to 932 thousand tons in 2021. The market rebounded to 1.05 million tons in 2022 before declining sharply to 823 thousand tons in 2023.

Import levels remained relatively stable, averaging around 200 thousand tons per year, while exports steadily decreased from 384 thousand tons in 2018 to 246 thousand tons in 2023. In 2024, imports stood at 227 thousand tons against exports of 200 thousand tons. During this period, the global pear market was influenced by the dominance of the green Anjou variety in 2019, which drove industry consolidation. More recently, Italian and Spanish producers reported a production recovery from 2023, with notable increases in Abate Fetel and Williams varieties, though accompanied by rising production costs.

Production pears in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of pears, 2017-2020

World map of production of pears, 2017-2020

Pear production in Southern Europe increased after two years of decline. In 2020, the region produced 1 292 K t of pears, marking a robust year-over-year increase of 12.5%. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 15.6%, which translates to an annualized rate of 5.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 149 K t, with the largest decline of 20.5% also occurring that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Pear production in Southern Europe increased after two years of decrease. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 606 M $ US, showing a strong year-over-year increase of 22.1%. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 4.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 316 M $ US, and the largest decline of 18.3% also occurred in that year.

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

Exports pears from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Pear exports from Southern Europe declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were recorded at 294.3 K t, showing a strong drop of 11.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 25.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for pear exports in kind from Southern Europe was quite broad. Germany accounted for 19.0% of exports in kind, Brazil for 12.7%, and France for 12.4%, with these three countries together representing only 44.1% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Exported pear volumes from Southern Europe declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 366.0 M $ US, showing a limited drop of 4.3% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 16%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.6%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, pear exports in value terms from Southern Europe were not heavily concentrated. Germany accounted for 25.3% of exports in value terms, France for 12.5%, and Brazil for 11.5%, with these three countries together capturing only 49.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports pears to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Southern Europe's volume of pear imports totaled 165.5 K t, representing a moderate reduction of 7.6% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 131.0 K t, while the maximum value was in 2019 at 179.0 K t. The largest decline of 22.1% occurred in 2018, and the largest increase of 36.6% was recorded in 2019.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, pear imports in kind to Southern Europe were not concentrated on a few key markets. The Netherlands accounted for 17.1% of imports in kind, Argentina for 13.8%, and Belgium for 13.2%, with these three countries jointly accounting for only 44.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Pear volumes imported by Southern Europe increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 224.2 M $ US, up by 19.8% compared to 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 11.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 186.7 M $ US, and the largest decline of 7.3% also occurred in that year.

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

Over 2017–2020, pear imports in value terms were distributed across a wide set of partner countries. Argentina accounted for 17.0% of imports in value terms, Chile for 16.7%, and the Netherlands for 16.1%, with these three countries jointly accounting for just 49.8% of total flows.

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

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