CENTRAL AMERICAN REGION

Feedback from the Trade on Their Plans and Interest in the USA Pear Season:

Trade members are interested in importing USA Pears during this season, they are requesting quotes from their suppliers and expect to start importing Northwest pears soon.

Expectations for Any Freight or Logistics Challenges:

Importers are anticipating that their USA Pears purchases will avoid any logistic problems, mainly for the Christmas season when they expect to import the largest volumes.

Opportunities in Your Market for Specific Varieties, Sizes, and Grades:

Trade members continue to be interested in Anjou and Bosc varieties, but for the current season, importers and retailers expected to increase Red Anjou volumes. They are also open to handling other varieties like Starkrimson and Forelle. Sizes preferred are 90-150, but they are open to 60-80. US#1 is the main quality grade requested, but they are open to Fancy and Third grades.

Update on the Competition in the Market:

Pears from Argentina reported 47% pear market share in the wholesale sector, 60% in supermarket stores and 40% in traditional channels, Anjou reported the highest volumes followed by Red Anjou, Bosc and Packham; sales and quality were reported as good and volumes are expected to increase during the next month. Chilean pears reported 39% pear market share at wholesale level, 31% in supermarket stores and 45% in traditional channels with just Forelle and Packham varieties available; sales and quality were reported as good. Volumes are expected to decrease during the next week because importers will not receive more loads. California pears reported 14% pear market share at wholesale level, 9% in supermarket stores and 15% in traditional channels. Only Bosc variety was available; sales and quality were reported as good. Volumes are expected to increase during the next month.

Political or Economic Issues Impacting Imports, Retail, or Consumer Behavior:

There are not political or economic issues expected to impact the season.

Other Brief Comments:

Importers request that USA Pear shippers stay in close contact to plan and schedule the volumes that will be handled during this season considering the crop shortage.