High temperatures and a lack of rain in the Oeste region of Portugal have forced Rocha pear exporters to re-evaluate production figures for the forthcoming season.
Ricardo Machado, general secretary of ANP, the national association of Rocha producers, has revised the likely volume downwards from a potential record to 180,000 tonnes to 140,000t, which is slightly down on last year's volume and a little higher with the five-year average.
"The first Rocha volumes left Portugal on August 11 and will be on-shelf this week," he told freshinfo. "The climatic conditions have had serious consequences in terms of overall volumes, as the trees became stressed through the lack of water, but this will still be a good season."
The association plans to support this season's volumes by collaborating with ICEP, the Portuguese trade and tourism office, in a UK promotional programme in the UK.
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