Although the final steps are still to be taken, access to the Canadian market for Belgian Conference pears appears to be imminent, according to various auctions and co-operatives in the country.
'We are happy that this is happening so quickly,' said Jo Lambrecht, commercial manager at co-operative BelOrta. 'We were surprised. We've been working very hard to achieve this.'
Belgian companies have been trying to gain access to the Canadian market for the Conference for around seven years, with many believing that the current embargo by Russia has served to precipitate the agreement.
However, no one is anticipating an immediate flood of Conference pears heading across the Atlantic.
'This is just the beginning,' said Marc Evrard, business development manager at auction Belgische Fruitveiling (BFV). 'It would be a mistake to rush. It will take a lot of dedication and perseverance.'
The Dutch have had access to the market for 15 years, he noted, with Conference pears making little impact in that time.
'I don't see a sudden outpouring of Belgian Conference pears heading to Canada, but any market opening creates opportunities,' said Evrard. 'We now have to do a decent job persuading consumers step by step.'
Evrard pointed out that Canadian consumers were used to West Coast US pears, as well as Argentinean and Chilean fruit, so would require some convincing.
'But,' he concluded, 'I believe we can build up sales there. In Hong Kong, people told us that the Conference would never take off. Now 200 tonnes are sent there every week.'
Both Evrard and Lambrecht also highlighted the importance of two particular advantages enjoyed by the Conference variety: its long shelf-life and almost year-round availability.
'Canadian companies are keen to give our Conference pears a try,' added Lambrecht. 'BelOrta has long-term relationships with Canadian importers, who we already provide with peppers, leeks and endives, and we are convinced that pears will be on this list very soon.'
