Argentina's apple and pear season ended in April. It was a normal season, and yields remained stable. Now, in the final stretch of the post-season, the fruit in cold storage continues to be key to supplying the remaining demand. However, uncertainty about the overall economic balance of the season persists.
"This year we had an even production in all varieties. The Cripps Pink was the most exported apple variety, and a large volume of pears was destined for the United States, which registered a drop in local production. The economic results of the season are still unknown, as a large part of the fruit is still being marketed," stated Franco Gonzalo Castro, manager of Don Clemente SRL.
"Demand in Europe was stable, but there was strong competition from other origins such as Chile, South Africa, and Eastern Europe. In pears, European varieties such as the Belgian Conference and the Italian Abate Fetel compete strongly, offering good conservation and lower prices, which delays the entry of the Argentine pear into that market," he stated.
Don Clemente also supplies regional markets such as Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru, where shipments have remained stable, "except for a specific drop in Brazilian demand between the end of the year and the beginning of the year, which then recovered," he added.
Despite an acceptable performance regarding production and market access, the biggest challenge of the 2025 season has been on the domestic front. "The problem today is production, not consumption," Castro stated. The loss of competitiveness caused by the exchange rate, the high cost of labor, logistics expenses, and the general increase in dollar prices are some of the sector's main hurdles, he stressed. "The current dollar is not conducive to exports. There are things we have to consider before closing a deal. The international market sets the price, but we have to evaluate whether or not to pack, load, or export," he said.
"In short, Argentina's pome fruit production remains stable and maintains its international presence, and the local macroeconomic conditions represent the main risk factor for the sector's profitability," he stated.
For more information:
Franco Gonzalo Castro
Don Clemente SRL
Río Negro, Argentina
Tel.: +54 2984 670465
Email: [email protected]