BRAZIL

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

The season is one of opportunities, if the NW had the fruit to supply. Some traditional suppliers are short of fruit and others are facing climate and diseases problems. Argentina the main supplier of the year do still have some Packham's, but Brazil is not a destination of big volumes for the past years, so they developed other destinations. Nevertheless the Argentinean pears in the market do present quality issues, mainly the long storage ones, which is the case. Many of the Argentinean varieties shipped to Brazil presented ripening problems, all seemed to have been exposed to 1-MCP or such technology. Europe also is facing challenges, mostly related to climate, and Portugal has climate and disease issues.

Expectations for Any Freight or Logistics Challenges:

As in the past seasons, after Covid-19, the transit time from the NW coast continues to be an important obstacle to USA Pear exporters to reach Brazil. Even though the Panama Canal has speeded up their crossing, and there is not a huge line of vessels, the journey are still around 47 to 60 days. And the cost also have increased.

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

The main variety for Brazil continues to be Bartletts, but there are still space for Green Anjous and Red Anjous, the past season experience proved that the market, as it is, can handle the fruit for as long as March.

Update on the Competition in the Market:

Argentina low in eatable pears, only Packham's available. Portugal with a short crop of Rocha pear, they are shipping some, but less than usual. Spain is ship[ping the early varieties, little if any Bartletts are expected. Belgium is shipping some Conference pears, but acceptance by consumers is still low.

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

the high dollar rate allied to inflation are the main results of actual Government capability to handle the main economical issues.

Other Brief Comments:

Retail sector is facing some challenges for the past few months with the increase of prices of the fresh produce items, mostly due to weather conditions, the purchase power of the population is also an issue that retailers are considering in their plans.