STATUS OF THE PEAR INDUSTRY IN SOUTH AMERICA

South America is overall a net exporter of pears due to the large contributions of Argentina and Chile. Brazil, on the other hand, is a big pear importer. The leading pear producing country is Argentina with 24 200 ha, followed by Chile with 10 300 ha. The main varieties are ‘William’s’, ‘Packham´s Triumph’ and ‘Beurre D´Anjou’ in Argentina, and ‘Packham´s Triumph’ and ‘Beurre Bosc’ in Chile. Low production costs in South America currently make the industry profitable.