Pears market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Western Europe's pear market volume experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023, falling to 688 thousand tons in 2019 and again to 548 thousand tons in 2021 before recovering to 690 thousand tons by 2023.

The market's growth in 2023 was driven by climate change effects that halved Italian pear production, enabling Belgium to become Europe's largest producer and increasing overall regional supply.

In 2024, factors such as spring hail damage continued to affect inventories, while Belgium maintained its production leadership and expanded export access to markets including China and Canada.

Production pears in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of pears, 2017-2020

World map of production of pears, 2017-2020

In Western Europe, pear production reached 1 098 thousand tonnes in 2020, representing a 16.9% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 27.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 8.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 118 thousand tonnes, with that year also seeing the largest increase of 29.6%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant decline, with production dropping by 16.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of pear production in Western Europe stood at 1 159 million US dollars in 2020, marking a 25.1% rise compared to 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 35.5%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 10.7%. The peak value was achieved in 2018 at 1 294 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 51.2%. The most substantial decrease occurred in 2019, with a decline of 28.4%.

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

Exports pears from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Western Europe's pear exports grew for the second year in a row, reaching 703.5 thousand tonnes in 2020, a 21.4% year-over-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, export volumes rose by 6.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 560.7 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 15.2% during this period.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, pear exports from Western Europe were distributed across a wide range of markets. The top three destinations—the United Kingdom (12.4% of export volume), Poland (6.4%), and Estonia (6.0%)—collectively accounted for just 24.9% of total exports, indicating a highly diversified trade pattern.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, pear exports from Western Europe rebounded in 2020, with export value reaching 742.9 million US dollars, a 29.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 13.4%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 4.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 572.1 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 11.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the distribution of pear export value remained fragmented across countries. The United Kingdom (14.5% of export value), Poland (5.7%), and Spain (5.3%) together made up only 25.4% of total exports, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant in the market.

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

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

Imports pears to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Pear imports into Western Europe increased for the second consecutive year, totaling 363.5 thousand tonnes in 2020, a robust 10.6% rise compared to the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, import volumes decreased by 15.1%, with a compound annual decline rate of 5.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 313.2 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 26.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, Western Europe sourced pears from numerous countries, with even the largest suppliers—Italy, South Africa, and Chile—collectively representing only 34.6% of total import volume, highlighting the region's diverse import base.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year drop, pear imports into Western Europe increased in 2020, reaching 572.1 million US dollars, a 23.8% rise from the previous year. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 462.1 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 19.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the import partner landscape for pears in value terms was broad, with Italy (22.5% of import value), South Africa (13.8%), and Chile (7.8%) together accounting for just 44.1% of total imports. This left a substantial 55.9% of imports coming from a wide array of other countries.

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

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