ISHS Acta Horticulturae 155: VIII Symposium on Horticultural Economics
IMPROVEMENT IN THE COMMERCIAL QUALITY OF THE "LIMONERA" PEAR |
| Author: | J. MURGA CARAZO |
| Abstract:
In Spain, the "Limonera" pear constitutes a crop having an important production, not so much, perhaps, because of its quantity which represents about 40 % of the nation's pear production estimated at an average of 500 000 t a year, of which the "limonera" would represent about 200 000 t per annum, as because of the repercussion of its production in the home market given its picking time within the Spanish fruit market. Generally, the Spanish "limonera" has from 10 to 15 days of excellent commercialization at the beginning of its season which starts in early July; this pear is exported to those countries belonging to the Common Market which have still not begun their own productions and it is, therefore, practically all on its own in international markets during that time and, as a result, the prices are generally profitable for both the farmer and the exporter; besides, being a novelty due to their being the first which are marketed during the season, they sell well on the home market. The problem arises when picking begins in the competitive countries where, on putting their productions on their own markets and on international ones, they produce, as is logical, a drop in our foreign quotations which is immediately reflected in the home price for the farmer. Besides, the "limonera" has the particularity of affecting the home market in an important way, not only as regards the price of the same but also with respect to those of other fruits belonging to the Summer season; if the export campaign is a good one and the fruit leaves for abroad in a fluid manner, the prices, both of the "limonera" pear and, as well, of the other Summer fruits, are good; if exports are blocked or paralysed, prices collapse (During the 83–84 campaign, on the 24th of July, the farmer was paid 20 pta.kg for the "limonera"; on the 25th of July, that is to say, the following day, a compensatory tax was imposed by the E.E.C. amounting to 9 pta.kg, with regard to our exports and the price for the farmer corresponding to the "limonera" was that of from 6 to 7 pta.kg and in some warehouses of the growing areas the product entered without a price and this decision also affected the prices of other sorts of fruit). This shows us that any influence on the market is at once noted not only by the "limonera" pear but, as well, by the rest of the fruits. | |
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