Global pear production looks set to reach record heights, according to recent research from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Estimates put combined pear production in major producing countries for 2002-03 at an unprecedented 14.2 million tonnes. If achieved, this would represent a production increase for the seventh consecutive season.

Top producers such as Italy, Turkey and South Africa are expected to record bigger pear crops, but a large crop from China will account for much of the increase. Conversely, US pear production is expected to decrease this season and could be the smallest harvest since 1996-97.

Within the EU, combined pear production is forecast to reach up to 2.3 million tons for 2002-03. Within this Italy is the largest producer with a crop estimated at 900,000 tons, eight per cent above last season. Despite this, a large proportion of the harvest may be of low quality due to suffering hail damage in the spring.

Meanwhile, producers in the Southern Hemisphere have been expanding pear acreage, encouraged by fast decreasing costs of production. In Argentina, these have reportedly spiralled downwards by as much as 50 per cent. The Argentine peso continues to be devalued to the point where the import of production inputs such as herbicides, fertilisers and machinery is no longer viable. Still, combined pear production in certain Southern Hemisphere areas is expected to increase by 4 per cent to 1.3 million tons.

Export figures should also set a new record for the 2002/3 season. For this period world pear exports are forecast to reach 1.6 million tonnes. From the Northern Hemisphere, increased exports are expected from China and from some countries within the EU. From the Southern Hemisphere it will be increased supplies of good-quality fruit from Argentina and Chile that are expected to will drive shipments up. Argentina and Chile account for more than 60 per cent of the pears produced in the Southern Hemisphere and over 70 per cent of its exports. Argentina, the world's single largest exporter is expected to increase export sales in 2002/2003 to 270,000 tons.

At this time expansion continues in South Africa with production increases expected. However South Africa's pears continue to face strong competition in the global market place and growers have requested government intervention to enable them to improve the situation.