Spanish pear crop up 59% in 2026, higher exports to Germany and Italy expected

The 2026 pear harvest in Spain's Murcia region is forecast to reach 23,360 tonnes, a 59% increase from 2025, with growing exports to key European markets including Germany and Italy.

Spanish pear production in Murcia is projected at 23,360 tonnes for the 2026 season, up 59% from the previous year, following recovery from hail-related losses in 2025. The cultivated area is reported at 1,004 hectares, with the Ercolini variety accounting for 97% of the total output (22,678 tonnes). This increase is attributed to improved yields rather than expansion of surface area.

The Denomination of Origin Protected (DOP) 'Pera de Jumilla' continues to strengthen its position in international trade. In 2025, the value of pear exports from this region reached €2 million, with main markets in Germany, Italy, and Portugal. The DOP involves about 100 partners, including 30 primary producers and three packing warehouses.

Despite the significant rise in Spanish pear supply, the main export focus remains on Western European countries. Higher availability is likely to increase competition with other European pear and apple suppliers, potentially influencing wholesale prices and buyer demand in importing countries such as Poland.

In Spain, the pear harvest recovery follows a challenging 2025 marked by a 40% crop loss due to hail, but 2026 output is expected to return to normal levels. The area under DOP protection covers approximately 250 hectares.

Rising Spanish pear exports are expected to impact apple and pear import markets in Central and Eastern Europe, including Poland, by increasing supply and intensifying price competition during the ongoing summer fruit season.

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