ANDEAN REGION

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

Peru has received the fruit at the wholesale market, this fruit is being sold thru the traditional market, some will reach the retail stores, but in a smaller volume. Ecuador has imported its first direct shipment in the first half of December, previously some fruit has been imported thru a border country. There was interest in the USA Pears for medium to small sizes with Fancy grade, mostly because of pricing. Bosc is a preferred variety in Ecuador, as in Peru Anjou is the main preference.

Expectations for Any Freight or Logistics Challenges:

So far no problems reported.

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

Bosc for Ecuador, and some Anjou. Medium to Small sizes, as they sell by 1kg bag and is important to have more pieces of fruit per kilo. In Peru, the retailer would prefer Anjous medium size Fancy grade is fine, US1 preferred, but cost is key.

Update on the Competition in the Market:

Argentina has a small volume of Packhams in both markets, as very few Anjous too. Europe has access to Ecuador and is growing the vellum of fruit shipped, not clear how much this season.

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

Peru will face elections in 2026, so the political scenario is uncertain, the past years were marked by several impeachments of presidents, most in jail. Ecuador is working its way to clear some of its economic troubles, since the Covid-19 pandemic it was struggling to recover, it seems that with a better agriculture export and some new measures by the actual government things are adjusting. There is still a big dark cloud that is the violence, some areas of the country are still under the influence of drug dealers.

Other Brief Comments:

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