ANDEAN REGION

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

Traders in both countries are interested in importing USA Pears, likely Fancy grade due to the price advantages. Green Anjou and Bosc would be the primarily varieties, Red Anjou too.

Expectations for Any Freight or Logistics Challenges:

So far no logistics challenges reported.

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

There is interest in Anjou, Bosc and Red Anjou in Fancy grade, sizes from 90 to 135. Ecuador always targets the smaller range, as retailers prefer to sell a certain amount per kilo in a bag.

Update on the Competition in the Market:

The pear category has a challenge this season. The Argentinean and Chilean availability is low, opening opportunities for NW USA, but the price will determine the size of the programs. Europe does have access to Ecuador, and in the past seasons it has shipped some fruit, but is not likely to do so this year due to lower crops.

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

Both countries are under severe political stress. Peru with another president being impeached, Ecuador with a new government struggling to put plans to work. Both countries have a social pressure too; criminality and violence are the main issues, with low employment rates, reduction of income to a large portion of the population, and increase in prices being the main ingredients. It is said that in spite of these issues the private (productive) sector does continue and has a life parallel to the political turmoil that these countries are experiencing, which was aggravated during the Pandemic. Drug cartels are also another factor that has been present in some regions for both countries, this has put some regions in an alert state.

Other Brief Comments:

Retail continues to move forward and finding ways to keep growing and expanding their reach.