ISRAEL

Feedback from the Trade on Their Plans and Interest in the USA Pear Season:

Israeli trade is showing steady and confident interest in USA Pears, with buyers confirming loadings through late December and into early January. Major importers expect to move between one and four containers per shipment, indicating stable demand. Current programs include both Red Anjou and Green Anjou, and the overall outlook from partners remains positive, with expectations of active movement in the coming weeks.

Expectations for Any Freight or Logistics Challenges:

Based on the first shipments this season, transit time from Seattle through Italy to the port of Haifa is approximately 70 days when shipped without delays. The ceasefire announced by Houthis and the resumption of negotiations on “Peace Railway” project aiming to connect Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Haifa, both add positive background to logistics to Israel.

Opportunities in Your Market for Specific Varieties, Sizes, and Grades:

There are continued opportunities for US #1 grade, Green Anjou and Red Anjou pears. These varieties and most sizes fit well with current market demand.

Update on the Competition in the Market:

The competition in this period is mainly from Greece with Santa Maria and Blanquilla varieties. Same as in Israel, the Greek crop is low this year, but Greece continue seeing Israel as a very important destination. Despite the lower domestic crop in Israel, the local farmers keep blaming the government for the excessive (from their point of view) imports leading to oversupply. Argentinean Beurre Bosc pears are no longer present on the shelves. Chinese pears, although present on the market in the same price segment, are very different by the variety (Nashi and Sand), therefore they do not overlap. Nashi pear is even called Nashi Apple on some shelves.

Political or Economic Issues Impacting Imports, Retail, or Consumer Behavior:

Labor continues to be one of the most influential factors shaping Israeli agriculture and retail. At the Israfood conference on November 19, one of the key topics was the quota for foreign workers, particularly from Thailand and India. Leading retailers - including Shufersal, Victory, Keshet Ta’amim, and Rami Levi — noted that foreign workers show strong discipline and high efficiency. According to them, this workforce is essential for expanding store networks and opening new branches, which in turn strengthens the overall role of modern retail across the country.

Other Brief Comments:

The wholesale prices for Israeli pears remained stable in November for both Spadona and Coscia varieties, ranging from 10–12 NIS/kg for smaller fruit (60 mm+) — approximately 3.1–3.7 USD/kg — to 15–16 NIS/kg for larger fruit (65/70 mm+), equal to 4.7–5.0 USD/kg. The market is expected to become more active in December. The wholesale prices for Chinese pears (Nashi and Sand) were also stable in November, ranging from 9–10 NIS/kg across all sizes, equivalent to 2.8–3.1 USD/kg.