Korean fresh pear production is expected to decrease 20 percent in Marketing Year (MY) 2023/24 as adverse weather events struck orchards throughout spring flowering and into the summer. Supplies of high-quality pears are expected to be below average because of high rates of damaged fruit. Prices for pears are expected to be higher in MY 23/24, but increases will not be as dramatic as for other fresh fruits. With changing consumption patterns, aging farm population, and increasing threats from climate change, the Korean pear sector is expected to continue facing a downward trend in acreage and production.

In MY 2023/24 (July – June), Korea's fresh pear production is forecast at 200,000 metric tons. The main reason for the year-on-year decline in pear production is a 19 percent decrease in yield (reduced number of pear bags per tree) due to premature flowering in late March followed by frost damage during the early spring flowering season, which reduced fruit set.

Subsequently, the pear crop endured an onslaught of adverse weather conditions during the fruit growing season, including frequent heavy rainfall, hail, and extreme heatwaves. The adverse weather conditions in 2023 are also expected to negatively affect other major domestic fruit crops such as apple, peach, and persimmon, resulting in an overall decrease in Korea’s total fruit production of about 10 to 20 percent. Deciduous fruit production in Korea is particularly vulnerable to climate change, as extreme weather events like those seen in 2023 become increasingly frequent. The last time similar weather occurred in MY 2020/21, it resulted in record low production of 132,580 MT.

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com