China has emerged as a significant market for US pear exports this season, following a record crop out of the Pacific Northwest region, according to Capital Press.
Figures released by The Pear Bureau Northwest revealed the industry has packed 22.2m cartons this season, up on the 19.8m cartons forecasted in June.
This season’s crop is also 14 per cent above the five-year average and betters the previous record of 20.5m cartons set two years ago.
Kevin Moffitt, president of The Pear Bureau Northwest, said a long, hot summer meant fruit size was also well up.
“We’re promoting to retailers that jumbo fruit is exceptional this year and that it’s a good opportunity to profit from large-size fruit,” Moffitt told Capital Press.
Exporters are already looking at unlocking the potential of the Chinese market as part of their year-round sales programmes.
China granted market access to the US pear industry in February, with 9,000 cartons shipped to the Asian market at the tail end of last season.
More than 64,500 cartons have been shipped to China so far this season, with that number expected to grow.
“We should hit the 125,000- to 150,000-box range,” Moffitt said.
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