Belgian pear volumes swell...

The top-fruit harvest is running abut two to three weeks early in Belgium and pear volumes are up at the expense of apples. This year’s apple crop isabout two per cent down while the pear crop is about four per cent up on last season as growers switch crops.The main reason for this according to the Lava auction is persistently low apple prices in recent years. Pear production is expected to be around the 280,000 tonne mark and over the past six years the Belgian planted area devoted to pears has increased by a massive 10 per cent year on year. Pear fruit size is also good this season with plenty of pears in the large and medium-sized profile. Conference harvesting has already begun with the first fruits picked on August 21. The Jonagold apple harvest is expected to start next week.