FreshPlaza: Favorable weather conditions lead to higher production of Greek pears

More Greek pears will hit the markets this season, as the weather did not cause as much issues as it did last year, says Paris Karastergios, import-export coordinator for Greek produce exporter Kastargiou P. Bros S.A.: “This season’s pear cultivation is characterized by much bigger volumes compared to last campaign, because of more effective blossoming, and favorable weather conditions all year long. We didn’t experience any frost damage and hailstorms, unlike during the previous seasons. A few weeks before harvesting, before week 29, there was an extensive heat wave that created a few batches to mature earlier than expected, but overall, the weather did not have a major negative impact on the cultivation.”

The increase in production goes for all the varieties that Karastergios grows, he explains. “The volumes of pears are bigger than last year, in all three of our varieties, an increase of even 50 to 60 per cent in some cases, as 2023’s crop was very poor. However, compared to the average yield, this year we picked something like 10 to 20% more than the average harvest.”

Unfortunately, the start of the season was not met with a strong demand, according to Karastergios: “Demand is a little lower than we first expected, especially after a vivid interest in the beginning of the campaign, both from European and countries of the Middle East. However, I’m optimistic that in the next few weeks, the demand will rise again. At the same time in Israel, one of our main markets, the demand will pick up again in September, as the holidays for the Jewish New Year will get closer.”

The higher production of pears is not unique to Greece, which means there’s heavy competition in the market, Karastergios states. “For the time being, there’s an oversupply of pears in all markets, in Asia and Europe. A fact that did not help us set up our loading schedules during the beginning of the campaign. Other traditional pear supplying countries, such as Italy and Spain, also have bigger volumes this season, which puts more pressure on the market, even to clients that were regular receivers of Greek pears up to this point.”

“It’s been a stressful season up to this point. However, I am optimistic that in the next few weeks the situation will change for the better, as the availability of local pears in many of our main target markets will no longer be there. Also, due to the fact that our pears are marketed under our own brand consistently, I believe that it’s easier to maintain, and maybe grow our clientele. Even under these circumstances of oversupplied markets,” Karastergios concludes.

For more information:
Paris Karastergios
Karastergiou P. Bros S.A.
Tel: +30 24610 26940
Mob: +30 693 2469117
Email: paris.karastergios@karastergioubros.gr