EU pear crop up 5.5% as Rincón de Soto harvest begins; Benelux hail damage impacts supply

European pear production is forecast at 1.95 million tonnes for 2026, a 5.46% increase over 2025, with Spain's Rincón de Soto region starting its harvest amid high fruit quality. Hailstorms in the Benelux have damaged pears, affecting supply to processing and export markets.

Prognosfruit 2026 estimates the European Union's pear production at 1.95 million tonnes, up 5.46% from 2025 and the highest level since 2022. This growth occurs despite a continued decline in EU pear acreage, which has fallen by 18.9% since 2015. The production recovery supports greater availability for export markets, including Poland, though the crop remains below historic highs.

In Spain, the DOP Peras de Rincón de Soto began its harvest on 12 August with the Blanquilla variety, and will start the Conference pear harvest on 20 August in La Rioja Baja. Production is expected to match last year's level, with a total area of 1,163 hectares under the DOP. High summer temperatures limited further volume growth, but fruit quality and sugar content are reportedly higher than in 2025.

The Benelux region (Netherlands and Belgium) suffered significant hailstorms in May 2026, causing localized but severe damage to pears and apples. In affected areas, up to 70% of fruit is reported as damaged, reducing the quantity of premium fruit available for fresh export. Damaged pears are being offered primarily to the processing industry, where oversupply may pressure prices downward. Some Dutch growers have listed their hail-damaged fruit for export to Poland, with indicative prices for apples at around PLN 1.08/kg (€0.25/kg) ex-orchard, though final delivered prices with transport are expected to exceed PLN 2.00/kg (€0.46/kg).

Despite the increase in overall EU pear production, the supply of high-quality fruit from Benelux may be constrained, shifting some trade flows towards Spain and Italy. The Spanish Rincón de Soto crop is expected to be of excellent quality, with better-than-average sugar content, potentially strengthening its position in export markets.

In Eastern Europe, no significant changes in pear trading activity were reported for mid-August 2026, with market focus shifting to other seasonal products such as apples and tomatoes. Spain remains the only major EU country with notable growth in pome fruit output in 2026.

Material prepared by the editorial team of fresh-market.info, editor Artur Spiker · Illustrative image generated by AI