Pears value chain

Producers source budded pear trees on quince or seedling rootstock selected for precocity, fire blight resistance and fruit quality. High density planting systems on dwarfing rootstock are increasingly adopted to bring orchards into production earlier and improve pack out efficiency.

Pear orchards require careful pollination management using compatible cultivar interplanting and bee hive placement. Fruit thinning, codling moth management and calcium sprays for bitter pit prevention are essential for achieving export quality fruit.

Pears are picked at the hard mature stage before any softening occurs on the tree. Firmness testing and starch iodine indexing determine optimal harvest timing as pears ripen off the tree during controlled cold storage conditioning.

Pears are graded by size and external quality, stored under controlled atmosphere at minus one degree celsius for up to eight months and packed for market release on demand. Extended CA storage is a competitive advantage that allows South African pears to supply markets year round.

Non export grade pears are canned in juice or syrup, dried as snack fruit or juiced for concentrate. Canned pear halves are a significant South African export product and perry cider production is an emerging artisanal value addition channel.

Fresh and canned pears are exported via sea freight under controlled atmosphere to Europe, Africa and Asia. Market diversification and meeting retailer specific sustainability certifications are strategic priorities for maintaining export growth.