The recent hail to hit western Europe, including parts of Germany, France and the Netherlands, has proven particularly destructive for some Belgian pear producers in eastern Flanders, as well as greenhouse growers of items like strawberries and tomatoes.
Although the hail was extremely localised, for those producers affected, the situation was tragic. 'Some growers have had all their volumes destroyed, while others, sometimes even in neighbouring farms, have been completely unaffected,' said Marc Evrard of auction Belgische Fruitveiling.
The overall impact on Belgian pear volumes, however, is not expected to be too significant, although a record crop would now appear unlikely.
'The area for Belgian pears has been expanding,' said Evrard, 'and we were on course for a record crop. So for the coming season there will be less of an increase than previously anticipated.'
Harvesting is expected to commence on around 16-20 August, which will be around one month later than last year's heavily delayed season.
