Required Report - public distribution

**Date:** 9/10/2003

**GAIN Report Number:** NL3034

NL3000

**Netherlands**

**Fresh Deciduous Fruit**

**Annual**

**2003**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Roger Wentzel

U.S. Embassy, The Hague

**Prepared by:**

Marcel Pinckaers

**Report Highlights:**

Production of apples is estimated this year at 385,000 MT, slightly
higher than last year. Import of apples in 2004 is forecast to fall as a
result, while exports are expected to rise. This year the production of
pears will be 160,000 MT, 10 percent lower than to last year. It is
expected additional pears will be imported to fill the gap.

Includes PSD Changes: Yes

Includes Trade Matrix: Yes

Unscheduled Report

The Hague \[NL1\]

\[NL\]

Table of Contents

[Executive Summary 3](#executive-summary)

[Apples 4](#apples)

[Trade Matrices 8](#trade-matrices)

[Pears 10](#pears)

[Trade Matrices 14](#trade-matrices-1)

# 

# Executive Summary

Production of apples in the Netherlands is estimated this year at
385,000 tons, higher than last year but consistent with the long term
decline in Dutch production. A high temperature late in the season and
the shortage of rain is expected to have little effect on yields.

Dutch export of apples fluctuates substantially from year to year. Over
50 percent of total apple export is re-export. For domestically grown
apples, Germany is the Netherlands's largest export market; last year
Germany bought almost 60 percent of total exports (or 101,479 MT). Other
important export markets include France and Sweden importing 7 percent
each of total exports.

In 2002, almost a quarter of all imports came from France. The second
largest European supplier of apples to the Netherlands is Belgium, with
a 12 percent share. The Southern hemisphere countries have a market
share of 58 percent.

This year the production of pears in the Netherlands is expected to be
160,000 tons, which is a 10 percent decrease compared with last year.
Pear production is led by the production of the Conference variety. This
year the acreage of Conference has expanded and a high yield per hectare
is expected.

The UK is a very important export market for Dutch pears. During 2002,
30,000 MT pears, predominantly Conference, found their way to the UK.
Russia, Sweden and Germany are also important importers of Dutch pears.

The Netherlands is also a large importer of pears, especially in 2002,
with total imports estimated at 128,000 MT. As with the apple market,
imports from Southern hemisphere countries are increasing at the expense
of European countries. For 2002 the Southern hemisphere countries,
dominated by South Africa, Argentina and Chile, account for 60 percent
of total imports.

  ---------- -------------------- -------------------- --------------------
  Exchange                                             
  Rate                                                 

  **Year**   **U.S. \$**          EURO                 **Dutch florin
                                                       (guilder)**

  1999       1                    0.94                 2.07

  2000       1                    1.09                 2.39

  2001       1                    1.12                 2.46

  2002       1                    1.09                 

  2003\*     1                    0.92                 
  ---------- -------------------- -------------------- --------------------

\*Average for the first 6 month of 2003

# 

# Apples

+------------+---------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Table 1:   |         |          |          |          |          |
| European   |         |          |          |          |          |
| Union -    |         |          |          |          |          |
| Production |         |          |          |          |          |
| of Apples  |         |          |          |          |          |
|            |         |          |          |          |          |
| 1,000 x    |         |          |          |          |          |
| Metric     |         |          |          |          |          |
| Tons       |         |          |          |          |          |
+------------+---------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
|            | *       | **2000** | **2001** | **2002** | *        |
|            | *1999** |          |          |          | *2003#** |
+------------+---------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Italy      | 2,196   | 2,206    | 2,172    | 2,171    | 2,038    |
+------------+---------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| France     | 2,230   | 2,260    | 1,938    | 1,966    | 1,918    |
+------------+---------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Germany    | 1,036   | 1,131    | 922      | 763      | 867      |
+------------+---------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Spain      | 837     | 683      | 806      | 646      | 655      |
+------------+---------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| The        | 575     | 500      | 475      | 370      | 385      |
| N          |         |          |          |          |          |
| etherlands |         |          |          |          |          |
+------------+---------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Others     | 1,541   | 1,426    | 1,215    | 1,223    | 1,084    |
+------------+---------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| **Total EU | **      | *        | *        | *        | *        |
| 15**       | 8,415** | *8,206** | *7,528** | *7,139** | *6,947** |
+------------+---------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Poland     | 1,604   | 2,000    | 2,484    | 2,168    | 2,300    |
+------------+---------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Hungary    | 443     | 695      | 605      | 527      | 488      |
+------------+---------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Others     | 476     | 503      | 462      | 460      | 565      |
+------------+---------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| **CC 10**  | **      | *        | *        | *        | *        |
|            | 2,533** | *3,198** | *3,551** | *3,155** | *3,353** |
+------------+---------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| **Total EU | **1     | **       | **       | **       | **       |
| 25**       | 0,937** | 11,404** | 11,079** | 10,294** | 10,300** |
+------------+---------+----------+----------+----------+----------+

Source: Eurofel \# Forecast

For the fourth year in a row, the apple harvest within the EU is
expected to decrease, mainly due to late frost and unfavorable wet
weather during the flowering stage. This season 6.9 million MT of apples
will be produced across the EU, 3 percent less than 2002. Although
production grew slightly in Germany it will be lower this year in
leading producers Italy and France.

  ------------------ ----------------- ------------- ---------- ------------- ---------- -------------
  **PSD Table**                                                                          

  **Country**        **Netherlands**                                                     

  **Commodity**      **Fresh Apples**                           (HA)(1000                
                                                                TREES)(MT)               

                     2001              Revised       2002       Estimate      2003       Forecast

                     USDA Official     Post Estimate USDA       Post Estimate USDA       Post Estimate
                     \[Old\]           \[New\]       Official   \[New\]       Official   \[New\]
                                                     \[Old\]                  \[Old\]    

  **Market Year                        **07/2001**              **07/2002**              **07/2003**
  Begin**                                                                                

  Area Planted       11,718            12,839        10,500     11,177        \-         10,852

  Area Harvested     10,195            11,170        9,135      9,724         \-         9,441

  Bearing Trees      19,984            21,862        17,888     19,102        \-         18,547

  Non-Bearing Trees  4,741             5,228         4,277      4,481         \-         4,351

  Total Trees        24,725            27,090        22,165     23,583        \-         22,898

  Commercial         430,000           450,000       333,000    339,660       \-         353,500
  Production                                                                             

  Non-Comm.          45,000            50,000        32,000     30,340        \-         31,500
  Production                                                                             

  TOTAL Production   475,000           500,000       365,000    370,000       \-         385,000

  TOTAL Imports      323,818           300,528       325,000    296,000       \-         290,000

  TOTAL SUPPLY       798,818           800,528       690,000    666,000       \-         675,000

  Domestic Fresh     362,818           325,528       288,000    314,000       \-         310,000
  Consump                                                                                

  Exports, Fresh     320,000           360,000       297,000    265,000       \-         270,000
  Only                                                                                   

  For Processing     96,000            85,000        89,000     77,000        \-         85,000

  Withdrawal From    20,000            30,000        16,000     10,000        \-         10,000
  Market                                                                                 

  TOTAL UTILIZATION  798,818           800,528       690,000    666,000       \-         675,000
  ------------------ ----------------- ------------- ---------- ------------- ---------- -------------

Within the 10 new EU countries, apple production is dominated by Poland,
which produces more apples than any current EU member. The majority of
Polish apples go into the processing industry and the main export market
is Russia. After accession in May 2004, no major impacts are expected on
the Dutch trade.

+---------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| ##            |          |          |          |          |          |
| ## Table 2: T |          |          |          |          |          |
| he Netherland |          |          |          |          |          |
| s - Apple Pro |          |          |          |          |          |
| duction Figur |          |          |          |          |          |
| es by Variety |          |          |          |          |          |
|               |          |          |          |          |          |
| 1,000 x       |          |          |          |          |          |
| Metric Tons   |          |          |          |          |          |
+---------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
|               | **1999** | **2000** | **2001** | **2002** | **       |
|               |          |          |          |          | 2003\*** |
+---------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Jonagold      | 195      | 180      | 150      | 136      | 140      |
+---------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Elstar        | 190      | 170      | 185      | 144      | 140      |
+---------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Boskoop       | 55       | 40       | 40       | 17       | 30       |
+---------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Golden        | 45       | 40       | 40       | 25       | 30       |
| Delicious     |          |          |          |          |          |
+---------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Cox Orange    | 450      | 30       | 30       | 20       | 20       |
+---------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Other Variety | 45       | 40       | 30       | 28       | 25       |
+---------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Total         | 575      | 500      | 475      | 370      | 385      |
+---------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+

Source: Eurofel \# Forecast

Production of apples in the Netherlands is estimated this year at
385,000 tons, slightly higher than last year but not back to the level
of preceding years. The high temperature late in the season and the
shortage of rain is expected to have little effect on yields since
nearly all growers have sprinkler systems.

The main factor behind falling production figures in recent years is
that farmers are leaving the industry. As a result, apple acreage has
gone down, while yield per hectare has been relatively stable.

It is not expected that prices for Dutch apples will rise, due to
increasing competition from other regions and increasingly Southern
Hemisphere countries.

+------------------------+-----------+-----------+----------+----------+
| **Table 3: The         |           |           |          |          |
| Netherlands - Auction  |           |           |          |          |
| Prices for Apples**    |           |           |          |          |
|                        |           |           |          |          |
| Euro cents per Kilo    |           |           |          |          |
+------------------------+-----------+-----------+----------+----------+
|                        | **99/00** | **00/01** | *        | *        |
|                        |           |           | *01/02** | *02/03** |
+------------------------+-----------+-----------+----------+----------+
| **Average Price**      | 21        | 28        | 35       | 42       |
+------------------------+-----------+-----------+----------+----------+
|                        |           |           |          |          |
+------------------------+-----------+-----------+----------+----------+
| Golden Delicious       | 56        | 30        | 35       | 36       |
+------------------------+-----------+-----------+----------+----------+
| Boskoop                | 67        | 30        | 34       | 53       |
+------------------------+-----------+-----------+----------+----------+
| Jonagold               | 26        | 31        | 37       | 40       |
+------------------------+-----------+-----------+----------+----------+
| Cox\'s Orange          | 25        | 39        | 35       | 48       |
+------------------------+-----------+-----------+----------+----------+
| Elstar                 | 32        | 39        | 50       | 57       |
+------------------------+-----------+-----------+----------+----------+
| Gloster                | 22        | 21        | 28       | 32       |
+------------------------+-----------+-----------+----------+----------+
| Gala                   | \-        | \-        | \-       | 69       |
+------------------------+-----------+-----------+----------+----------+
| Breaburn               | \-        | \-        | \-       | 77       |
+------------------------+-----------+-----------+----------+----------+
| Granny Smith           | \-        | \-        | \-       | 103      |
+------------------------+-----------+-----------+----------+----------+
| Fuji                   | \-        | \-        | \-       | 106      |
+------------------------+-----------+-----------+----------+----------+
| Processing Apples      | 10        | 8         | 11       | 11       |
+------------------------+-----------+-----------+----------+----------+

Source: Product Board Horticulture

+--------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| **Table 4: The     |         |         |         |         |         |
| Netherlands --     |         |         |         |         |         |
| Acreage of Apple   |         |         |         |         |         |
| Variety**          |         |         |         |         |         |
|                    |         |         |         |         |         |
| Per Hectares       |         |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
|                    | **19    | **19    | **20    | **20    | **20    |
|                    | 98/99** | 99/00** | 00/01** | 01/02** | 02/03** |
+--------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| Elstar             | 5,169   | 4,848   | 4,572   | 4,374   | 4,426   |
+--------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| Jonagold           | 4,305   | 3,720   | 3,373   | 3,545   | 3,361   |
+--------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| Cox's Orange       | 1,205   | 1,066   | 890     | 666     | 569     |
| Pippin             |         |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| Golden Delicious   | 1,010   | 914     | 800     | 763     | 720     |
+--------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| Rode van Boskoop   | 1,183   | 1,028   | 906     | 809     | 742     |
+--------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| Delbarestivale     | 235     | 236     | 238     | 318     | 325     |
| (Delcorf)          |         |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| Gala               | 113     | 96      | 90      | 92      | 82      |
+--------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| Other Varieties    | 974     | 933     | 849     | 611     | 627     |
+--------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| Total              | 14,191  | 12,838  | 11,718  | 11,177  | 10,852  |
+--------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+

Source: CBS

Low prices and increasing costs have led many Dutch farmers to leave the
industry. Prices received by growers have increased the past three years
but costs of production have increased even more.

During the past 4 years acreage decreased by almost a quarter to 10,852
hectares. In general all varieties are facing a decline, except for
Delbarestivale (Delcorf), which only accounts for 3 percent market
share. Other varieties, like Elstar and Gala, that showed strong growth
figures during the late 90s, are now facing decline.

+-------------------+------------------------+-------------------------+
| **Table 5: The    |                        |                         |
| Average Spending  |                        |                         |
| on Apples**       |                        |                         |
|                   |                        |                         |
| per Household     |                        |                         |
+-------------------+------------------------+-------------------------+
|                   | **KG**                 | **EURO**                |
+-------------------+------------------------+-------------------------+
| 1999              | 27.3                   | 25.19                   |
+-------------------+------------------------+-------------------------+
| 2002              | 24.9                   | 30.92                   |
+-------------------+------------------------+-------------------------+

Source: Productboard Horticulture, 2003

Although the size of average households has declined somewhat, the Dutch
are eating fewer apples. At the same time spending on apples has
increased due to higher retail prices. Consumers are also slowly
shifting from the traditional apple varieties to new ones like braeburn,
gala and fuji.

+---------------------------+--------------------+---------------------+
| #                         |                    |                     |
| ###### Table 6: Percentag |                    |                     |
| e of the Dutch Households |                    |                     |
|                           |                    |                     |
| **which Purchase Apples** |                    |                     |
+---------------------------+--------------------+---------------------+
|                           | **1999**           | **2002**            |
+---------------------------+--------------------+---------------------+
| Total                     | 91                 | 92                  |
+---------------------------+--------------------+---------------------+
| Elstar                    | 69                 | 68                  |
+---------------------------+--------------------+---------------------+
| Jonagold/Jonagored        | 64                 | 59                  |
+---------------------------+--------------------+---------------------+
| Granny Smith              | 36                 | 35                  |
+---------------------------+--------------------+---------------------+
| Golden Delicious          | 37                 | 34                  |
+---------------------------+--------------------+---------------------+
| Goudreinette              | 40                 | 34                  |
+---------------------------+--------------------+---------------------+
| Braeburn                  | 12                 | 26                  |
+---------------------------+--------------------+---------------------+
| Gala                      | 13                 | 25                  |
+---------------------------+--------------------+---------------------+
| Fuji                      | 8                  | 12                  |
+---------------------------+--------------------+---------------------+

Source: GFK/Product Board Horticulture

Larger supermarkets are becoming increasingly more important as a
distributor of fresh deciduous fruit. Research has shown that the
presentation and promotion of fruit are important tools for promoting
consumption. Many retailers stress the benefits of eating apples
regularly and promote the healthy and safe image of apples.

Dutch export of apples fluctuates substantially from year to year. Over
50 percent of total apple export is re-export. For domestically grown
apples, Germany is the Netherlands's largest export market; last year
Germany bought almost 60 percent of total exports (or 101,479 MT). Other
important export markets include France and Sweden each importing 7
percent of total exports.

> The export market can be split by export for a) industrial use and b)
> the fresh market. Fresh apples account for the majority of exports, 74
> percent in 2002. The Jonagold and Elstar varieties have stable export
> figures for the past few years. Other varieties that are exported,
> albeit to a lesser extent, are Cox, Golden Delicious and Jonagored,
> with the latter gaining market share in export markets at the expense
> of Cox. The export of apples for industrial use is especially heavy
> during the period August to December. Germany is also the biggest
> buyer of industrial apples.

## Trade Matrices

  ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
  **Import Trade                                         
  Matrix**                                              

  Country           Netherlands                          

  Commodity         Fresh Apples                         

  Time period       CY                Units:            Metric Tons

  **Imports for:**  **2001**                            **2002**

  U.S.              939               U.S.              1,054

  Others                              Others             

  E.U.              122,181           E.U.              118,370

  ‑ France          64,171            ‑ France          66,978

  ‑ Belgium         37,890            ‑ Belgium         35,144

  ‑ Germany         10,745            ‑ Germany         9,137

  ‑ Other E.U.      9,375             ‑ Other E.U.      7,111

  Chile             63,598            Chile             70,393

  South Africa      35,484            South Africa      22,943

  Argentina         30,073            Argentina         23,862

  Brazil            17,255            Brazil            22,808

  New Zealand       20,273            New Zealand       24,656

  Total for Others  288,864                             283,032

  Others not Listed 7,260                               11,670

  Grand Total       297,063                             295,756
  ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------

+-----------------+----------------+-----------------+---------------+
| ##### Expo      |                |                 |               |
| rt Trade Matrix |                |                 |               |
+-----------------+----------------+-----------------+---------------+
| Country         | Netherlands    |                 |               |
+-----------------+----------------+-----------------+---------------+
| Commodity       | Fresh Apples   |                 |               |
+-----------------+----------------+-----------------+---------------+
| Time period     | CY             | Units:          | Metric Tons   |
+-----------------+----------------+-----------------+---------------+
| Exports for:    | **2001**       |                 | **2002**      |
+-----------------+----------------+-----------------+---------------+
| U.S.            | 0              |                 |               |
+-----------------+----------------+-----------------+---------------+
| Others          |                | Others          |               |
+-----------------+----------------+-----------------+---------------+
| E.U.            | 124,914        | E.U.            | 157,178       |
+-----------------+----------------+-----------------+---------------+
| ‑ Germany       | 66,104         | ‑ Germany       | 101,479       |
+-----------------+----------------+-----------------+---------------+
| ‑ France        | 12,765         | ‑ France        | 13,772        |
+-----------------+----------------+-----------------+---------------+
| ‑ Sweden        | 11,779         | ‑ Sweden        | 12,025        |
+-----------------+----------------+-----------------+---------------+
| ‑               | 10,988         | ‑               | 11,028        |
| Bel             |                | Bel             |               |
| gium/Luxembourg |                | gium/Luxembourg |               |
+-----------------+----------------+-----------------+---------------+
| ‑ U.K.          | 7,021          | ‑ U.K.          | 4,167         |
+-----------------+----------------+-----------------+---------------+
| ‑ Other E.U.    | 16,257         | ‑ Other E.U.    | 14,707        |
+-----------------+----------------+-----------------+---------------+
| Russia          | 12,575         | Russia          | 8,308         |
+-----------------+----------------+-----------------+---------------+
| Poland          | 5,856          | Poland          | 599           |
+-----------------+----------------+-----------------+---------------+
| Czech Rep.      | 4,881          | Czech Rep.      | 5,168         |
+-----------------+----------------+-----------------+---------------+
| Total for       | 148,226        |                 | 171,253       |
| Others          |                |                 |               |
+-----------------+----------------+-----------------+---------------+
| Others not      | 7,764          |                 | 5,752         |
| Listed          |                |                 |               |
+-----------------+----------------+-----------------+---------------+
| Grand Total     | 155,990        |                 | 177,005       |
+-----------------+----------------+-----------------+---------------+

Last year apple import by the Netherlands were almost twice the amount
of exports (Dutch apples). It is important to note that not all of these
apples are consumed by the Dutch; a substantial share of imports are
re-exported via the port of Rotterdam to European countries such as
Germany and Belgium.

Historically, there is a steady flow of French apples to the
Netherlands. In 2002, almost a quarter of all imports came from France.
The second largest European supplier of apples to the Netherlands is
Belgium, with a 12 percent share.

> During the past decade, apples from Southern hemisphere countries have
> become quite popular in the Netherlands due to their varieties,
> presentation and counter seasonal availability. Countries like Chile,
> New Zealand, Argentina, South Africa and Brazil are increasingly
> gaining market share at the expense of the European countries. For
> 2002, Southern hemisphere origins account for 58 percent of total
> imports.

Less than one percent of total imports come from the US. The main reason
for this low figure is the lack of competitiveness of the US apple on
the Dutch market (cost price + freight cost).

# 

# Pears

+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| **Table 7:  |          |          |          |          |          |
| European    |          |          |          |          |          |
| Union -     |          |          |          |          |          |
| Production  |          |          |          |          |          |
| of Pears**  |          |          |          |          |          |
|             |          |          |          |          |          |
| 1,000 x     |          |          |          |          |          |
| Metric Tons |          |          |          |          |          |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
|             | **1999** | **2000** | **2001** | **2002** | **       |
|             |          |          |          |          | 2003\*** |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Italy       | 784      | 876      | 793      | 948      | 894      |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Spain       | 682      | 597      | 660      | 603      | 596      |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| France      | 288      | 259      | 254      | 237      | 189      |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| The         | 135      | 195      | 70       | 179      | 160      |
| Netherlands |          |          |          |          |          |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Belgium     | 165      | 180      | 89       | 173      | 142      |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Others      | 271      | 302      | 275      | 268      | 209      |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| **Total EU  | *        | *        | *        | *        | *        |
| 15**        | *2,325** | *2,409** | *2,141** | *2,408** | *2,190** |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Poland      | 67       | 82       | 77       | 90       | 80       |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| Others      | 16       | 16       | 5        | 6        | 12       |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| CC-10       | 83       | 98       | 82       | 96       | 92       |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
| **Total EU  | *        | *        | *        | *        | *        |
| 25**        | *2,408** | *2,507** | *2,223** | *2,504** | *2,283** |
+-------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+

Source: Eurofel \* Forecast

The EU pear harvest is expected to be lower this year, mainly due to
late frost and an unfavorable, wet, flowering stage. Almost 2.2 million
ton pears will be produced, 9 percent less than 2002.

  ----------------- ----------------- ------------- ---------- ------------- ------------ -------------
  **PSD Table**                                                                           

  **Country**       **Netherlands**                                                       

  **Commodity**     **Fresh Pears**                                          (HA)(1000    
                                                                             TREES)(MT)   

                    2001              Revised       2002       Estimate      2003         Forecast

                    USDA Official     Post Estimate USDA       Post Estimate USDA         Post Estimate
                    \[Old\]           \[New\]       Official   \[New\]       Official     \[New\]
                                                    \[Old\]                  \[Old\]      

  **Market Year                       **07/2001**              **07/2002**                **07/2003**
  Begin**                                                                                 

  Area Planted      6,097             6,019         6,100      6,329         \-           6,400

  Area Harvested    5,487             5,400         5,490      5,696         \-           5,760

  Bearing Trees     7,113             7,100         7,117      7,384         \-           7,467

  Non-Bearing Trees 1,423             1,400         1,423      1,477         \-           1,493

  Total Trees       8,536             8,500         8,540      8,861         \-           8,960

  Commercial        63,000            175,000       139,500    161,100       \-           144,000
  Production                                                                              

  Non-Comm.         7,000             20,000        15,500     17,900        \-           16,000
  Production                                                                              

  TOTAL Production  70,000            195,000       155,000    179,000       \-           160,000

  TOTAL Imports     132,899           130,642       134,000    128,000       \-           135,000

  TOTAL SUPPLY      202,899           325,642       289,000    307,000       \-           295,000

  Domestic Fresh    108,899           130,142       114,500    113,500       \-           110,000
  Consump                                                                                 

  Exports, Fresh    90,000            190,000       170,000    190,000       \-           182,000
  Only                                                                                    

  For Processing    4,000             5,500         4,500      3,500         \-           3,000

  Withdrawal From   \-                \-            \-         \-            \-           \-
  Market                                                                                  

  TOTAL UTILIZATION 202,899           325,642       289,000    307,000       \-           295,000
  ----------------- ----------------- ------------- ---------- ------------- ------------ -------------

Within the 10 new EU countries, pear production is dominated by Poland.
Although compared to current EU countries, Poland's production is low
and it is not an important exporter.

+----------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+---------+
| **Table 8: The       |        |        |        |        |         |
| Netherlands -- Pear  |        |        |        |        |         |
| Production Figures   |        |        |        |        |         |
| by Variety**         |        |        |        |        |         |
|                      |        |        |        |        |         |
| 1,000 x Metric Tons  |        |        |        |        |         |
+----------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+---------+
|                      | 1999   | 2000   | 2001   | 2002   | 2003\*  |
+----------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+---------+
| Conference           | 95     | 130    | 55     | 110    | 130     |
+----------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+---------+
| Doyenne Comice       | 20     | 35     | 10     | 34     | 15      |
+----------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+---------+
| Other Varieties      | 20     | 30     | 5      | 35     | 15      |
+----------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+---------+
| **Total**            | *      | *      | **70** | *      | **160** |
|                      | *135** | *195** |        | *179** |         |
+----------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+---------+

Source: Eurofel \* Forecast

This year the production of pears in the Netherlands is expected to be
160,000 tons, which is a 10 percent decrease compared with last year.
Pear production is led by the production of the Conference variety. This
year the acreage of Conference has expanded and a high yield per hectare
is expected.

+------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| **Table 9: The   |         |         |         |         |         |
| Netherlands --   |         |         |         |         |         |
| Acreage of Pear  |         |         |         |         |         |
| Variety**        |         |         |         |         |         |
|                  |         |         |         |         |         |
| Hectares         |         |         |         |         |         |
+------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
|                  | **19    | **19    | **20    | **20    | **20    |
|                  | 98/99** | 99/00** | 00/01** | 01/02** | 02/03** |
+------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| Conference       | 3,590   | 3,658   | 3,793   | 4,035   | 4,319   |
+------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| Doyenne du       | 1,213   | 1,180   | 1,160   | 1,119   | 1,090   |
| Comice           |         |         |         |         |         |
+------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| Beurre Hardy     | 193     | 184     | 167     | 106     | 95\*    |
+------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| Triomphe de      | 211     | 200     | 199     | 213     | 195\*   |
| Vienne           |         |         |         |         |         |
+------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| Poaching Pears   | 521     | 502     | 472     | 488     | 450\*   |
+------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| Other Varieties  | 288     | 288     | 292     | 367     | 370\*   |
+------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| **Total**        | **      | **      | **      | **      | **6,    |
|                  | 6,020** | 6,019** | 6,097** | 6,329** | 519\*** |
+------------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+

Source: CBS \*forecast

Over the past decade, the total acreage of pears has gone up each year.
During past 4 years the acreage increased by a total of 5 percent to an
estimated 6,341 hectares past season. New plantings are almost
exclusively of the Conference variety. The planted acreage for this
pear, with 70 percent market share, has gone up by 20 percent during
past 4 years

+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| **Table 10: The   |           |           |           |           |
| Netherlands --    |           |           |           |           |
| Average Auction   |           |           |           |           |
| Prices for        |           |           |           |           |
| Pears**           |           |           |           |           |
|                   |           |           |           |           |
| Euro cents per    |           |           |           |           |
| Kilo              |           |           |           |           |
+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|                   | 1999/00   | 2000/01   | 2001/02   | 2002/03   |
+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Legipont          | 43        | 25        | 52        | 33        |
+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| B.A. Lucas        | 54        | 39        | 67        | 47        |
+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Beurre Hardy      | 35        | 25        | 71        | 34        |
+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Conference        | 62        | 53        | 98        | 65        |
+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Doyenne           | 57        | 31        | 99        | 44        |
+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Triomphe          | 35        | 25        | 71        | 33        |
+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| Poaching Pears    | 77        | 28        | 166       | 28        |
+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
| **Total Average** | **59**    | **43**    | **95**    | **53**    |
+-------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+

Source: Product Board Horticulture

Prices received by pear growers were very high in 1998 and 1999. During
2000 and most of 2001 producers received a much lower price, with prices
for the Legipont and Doyenne varieties dropping by over 40 percent. Late
2001 and in 2002, prices have been high due to low availability.

Low production of in 2001 resulted in low export figures in 2002 and
subsequently higher imports during the same period.

The UK is a very important export market for Dutch pears. During 2002,
30,000 MT pears, predominantly Conference, found their way to the UK.
Russia, Sweden and Germany are also important importers of Dutch pears.

The Netherlands is also a large importer of pears, especially in
2001/2002, with total imports estimated at 128,000 MT. Imports are often
exported immediately to other European countries: for instance, all
Chilean pears destined for the EU market are traded via the Netherlands.

As with the apple market, imports from Southern hemisphere countries are
increasing at the expense of European countries. For 2002 the Southern
hemisphere countries, dominated by South Africa, Argentina and Chile,
account for 60 percent of total imports. Five years ago this figure was
only 40 percent.

Imports from the US are also increasing. In 2002, the Netherlands
imported 4,333 MT US pears, 20 percent more than the preceding year
mainly due to that year's low price of US pears.

## Trade Matrices

  ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
  **Import Trade                                         
  Matrix**                                              

  Country           Netherlands                          

  Commodity         Fresh Pears                          

  Time period       CY                Units:            Metric Tons

  **Imports for:**  **2001**          ** **             **2002**

  U.S.              3,547             U.S.              4,333

  Others                              Others             

  E.U.              35,790            E.U.              38,922

  ‑ Belgium         11,651            ‑ Belgium         24,023

  ‑ France          9,333             ‑ France          4,021

  ‑ Spain           4,755             ‑ Spain           3,041

  ‑ Germany         5,156             ‑ Germany         2,938

  ‑Other E.U.       4,895             ‑Other E.U.       4,899

                                                         

  Argentina         28,878            Argentina         25,553

  South Africa      25,244            South Africa      26,338

  Chile             24,061            Chile             23,726

  Total for Others  113,973                             114,539

  Others not Listed 4,762                               8,756

  Grand Total       122,282                             127,628
  ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------

  ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
  **Export Trade                                         
  Matrix**                                              

  Country           Netherlands                          

  Commodity         Fresh Pears                          

  Time period       CY                Units:            Metric Tons

  **Exports for:**  **2001**          ** **             **2002**

  U.S.              0                 U.S.              0

  Others                              Others             

  E.U.              81,402            E.U.              64,768

  ‑ U.K.            38,927            ‑ U.K.            30,000

  ‑ Sweden          9,797             ‑ Sweden          8,992

  ‑ France          8,564             ‑ France          5,656

  ‑ Denmark         6,479             ‑ Denmark         6,265

  ‑ Germany         5,448             ‑ Germany         6,739

  ‑ Other E.U.      12,187            ‑ Other E.U.      8,639

                                                         

  Russia            16,788            Russia            13,984

  Norway            4,337             Norway            2,466

  Total for Others  102,527                             81,218

  Others not Listed 5,060                               2,497

  Grand Total       107,587                             83,715
  ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------