The new South African pear season, shipped on the SAF Nokwanda, will be in the UK market by the end of January.
The Williams Bon Chretien Pears harvested in Stellenbosch herald the beginning of the South African season.
According to John Hopkins, Capespan’s procurement manager for Pome Fruit, said: “A later than normal start to the South African season combined with a short Conference market should result in a strong start to the South African season, despite the current economic conditions.
“As we enter the main William’s harvest period the crop appears to be of average volume with slightly smaller sized fruits. Quality wise and cosmetically, the fruit is excellent.”
Strong competition for the early product is expected from the canning industry, together with early demand from Far Eastern markets as they approach Chinese New Year.
Hopkins also reported that quality in other South African varieties looks good as cool January weather has helped bring strong colour to the blushed Rosemarie variety, skin finish on Packhams Triumph is reported as good and the later Comice and Beurre Bosc varieties are sizing up well.
It is anticipated that Rosemarie and Comice volumes will be more limited this season after a relatively poor set. Forelle, however, should continue to show some volume growth.
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