Portuguese pear producers say they are redoubling their efforts across all major export markets following a collapse in domestic demand as the country's recession deepens.
Despite this year's production of Rocha pears being significantly down on last year’s bumper crop, the industry is bracing itself for a challenging season.
Exports have risen steadily in recent years but still account for just under 50 per cent of the country's 200,000-plus tonnes of annual production, leaving growers heavily reliant on local demand.
'Producers are anticipating a worse than average season on the domestic market as a result of which top priority will be given to consolidating their export business,' said Gonçalo Santos Andrade, vice-president of national fruit and vegetable marketing organisation Portugal Fresh.
'In particular, the focus will be on opening up new markets outside of the European Union.'
Armando Torres Paulo of TriPortugal says volumes in 2012 are well down on the 224,000 tonnes produced last year, mainly because of a spell of cool weather which affected blossoming. 'We expect output to fall by around 30 per cent,' he confirmed.
The first consignments of Portuguese pears are due to arrive on supermarket shelves in week 32, ten days later than usual.
