Higher pear supply from Spain and the Netherlands; Ercolini at €2.0–2.3/kg in Spain

Spanish and Dutch pear harvests are both up in 2026, with Ercolini and Conference varieties leading exports to European markets. Wholesale prices for Spanish Ercolini pears in Bilbao are quoted at €2.0–2.3/kg.

Spanish pear production in the Jumilla region (Murcia) has rebounded significantly after a weather-affected season in 2025. The 2026 harvest is projected at 23,000 tonnes, a 66.8% increase compared to the previous year, with the Ercolini variety accounting for 22,678 tonnes (97% of the local total). Most of Jumilla’s pears are sold domestically, but exports to Germany, Italy, and Portugal are notable, reaching a value of nearly €2 million in 2025. Organic pear production is increasing, with 89 hectares and 1,200 tonnes produced organically in 2025 in Murcia.

At the Mercabilbao wholesale market, Ercolini pears were priced at €2.0–2.3 per kg during the week of 14–17 July 2026. This price level reflects the early season and increased supply from the Murcia region.

The Netherlands expects a larger 2026 pear crop, estimated at 393,000 tonnes versus 359,000 tonnes in 2025. The Conference variety remains dominant, with a forecast of 299,000 tonnes, up 12% year-on-year and representing 76% of Dutch pear output. Other varieties include Xenia (24,000 tonnes), Lukasówka (22,000 tonnes), and Komisówka (21,000 tonnes). Dutch pear orchards cover 9,995 hectares, stable since 2018. The main harvest will reach the market from late August, depending on water availability and late-season weather.

Portugal continues to expand exports of fruit, including pears, with total fruit and vegetable exports reaching €2.6 billion in 2025, up 5% from 2024. The EU is the main destination, led by Spain, France, the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK. Pears remain one of Portugal’s key export products, alongside berries and citrus.

Increased availability from Spain and the Netherlands may influence pear market dynamics in Poland and other European import destinations, intensifying competition among suppliers. The Spanish Denomination of Origin (DOP) for Jumilla pears continues to boost the international profile of Ercolini pears in European markets.

Material prepared by the editorial team of fresh-market.info, editor Artur Spiker