During the previous campaign, exports of this fruit reached 92,112 tonnes, a figure that is 71% higher than the year before, where the quantified volume reached 53,696tm.
Brazil is the main export market of the Portuguese Rocha Pear, representing 25% of foreign sales of this fruit (23,363 tonnes in the 2017/18 campaign). The Brazilian market is followed by Morocco (20,082 tm), the United Kingdom (15,883), France (13,137), Germany (6,391) and Spain (4,300). Poland, Ireland, Canada, Switzerland, Colombia, Angola, Romania, Uruguay, the Arab Emirates, Holland or Jordan are other important destinations.
For the 2018/19 campaign, the National Rocha Pear Producers Association (ANP, in Spanish), aims to reach a total value of 100 million euros in its exports. This growth is endorsed by an increase in sales in the regular export markets, plus the incorporation of new destinations.
In terms of production, the latest Rocha Pear campaign (2017/18) recorded a 46.8% increase in production compared to the previous one. In total, the harvest reached 202,000 tonnes, of which 185 were harvested in the Central region (where the Western region and PDO are found), representing 92% of the national total.
However, the current campaign will be marked by an important reduction in the harvest, estimated at 15-25% due to the high temperatures recorded in August. The estimated capacity will be around 180,000 tonnes.
Gastronomic & Press Tour
Last September, the ANP carried out a gastronomic and press tour for journalists, chefs, European and Brazilian bloggers. During the trip, the professionals could discover the characteristics of this highly appreciated fruit on site, going from production to the final preparation by famous chefs. Fruit Today euromagazine had the chance to harvest Rocha Pears directly from the trees at the Quinta da Boavista, as well as visiting the Granfer fruit and vegetable centre.
