The World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA) has released the 2011 EU pear crop estimates at an industry event being held in Ljubljana, Slovenia. After WAPA said last week that EU apple production would see a 5 per cent increase compared to last year’s low crop, the news for pear growers is also good.

WAPA revealed European growers predict a recovery of production after 2010, which was an extremely low year. An increase in the pear crop of 12 per cent compared to last year is expected. The total crop is expected to be around 2,533,000 tonnes. The 2011 forecast puts pear production 8 per cent above the three year average.

Across Europe, an early blossom has brought the crops forward by between one and two weeks. The favourable climatic conditions, which also benefitted the apple crop, are expected to increase overall quality and size.

WAPA said the season is expected to transition smoothly, with limited overlap from Southern Hemisphere production, which has seen “moderate imports” coming into the EU.