BRAZIL

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

The trade has reported that this year has positive potential for importing NW Pears. Argentina has low availability, with just some Anjou and few Packham.

Expectations for Any Freight or Logistics Challenges:

At this point an alternative route has been tested for the NW Pears; it promises better transit time, but it has its price. The traditional route continues to be unreliable and the 40+ days transit time continues to be a concern for some traders.

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

The market is open for Bartlett, the preferred variety for the Brazilian consumer. Green and Red Anjou follow in preference, with Bosc to a lesser degree. There has also been interest in organic pears.

Update on the Competition in the Market:

Argentina is now the main source of pears, but has little availability for the future. Spain has more fruit than last year, but is still below normal seasons. The word from different players is that the Spanish Bartlett is very ill-appearing and does not appeal to the Brazilian consumer; in addition, this year it has a much higher price and availability is lower. Portugal is starting its campaign with high prices and low availability in the first part of the season, with uncertainty for the rest of the season. Some Italian pears could possibly be imported, still to be confirmed. Belgium will export some Conference pears as normal, and this year some QTee pears might be shipped as well.

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

Since June 2025, the fear of retaliation against the USA increase on import tariffs is something that is in the air in Brazil. This factor has created some mixed feelings in the consumers, with some being against most US-origin products. The political scenario in the country is polarized; the current government was able to prosecute the former president, which will prevent him from trying to run for president again in the future. The political scenario has provoked some waves in the economy, but not more than the uncertainties of the international scenario. The interest rate is around 15% per year, GDP is to grow around 1.8% and the USD$ exchange rate has came down from the R$6.00 per dollar rate and is fluctuating in the R$5.35 range. The retail sector is suffering a reduction on consumer purchases, mostly due to the increase of retail prices and a reduction of purchasing power. Also the political economic scenario being so uncertain is not helping to push consumption.

Other Brief Comments:

It is clear that the trade wants to reinvent the pear category. In recent years, many sources of pears are supplying tasteless and hard pears, fruit that never ripens. So the opportunity to supply a fruit that is flavorful and has the ability to ripen could be the main factor to recover the great market that Brazil once represented to the PNW industry.