California Pear Farmers Under Heavy Pressure from Imports

California pear farmers are fighting for survival as a surge of low-priced pear imports from Argentina continues to flood the U.S. market each year. Industry leaders are now in discussions with staff at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to find meaningful relief from a situation they say has become a major driver of the decline of California’s historic pear industry, which dates back to the Gold Rush.

“Since 2016, Argentine exports of fresh pears to the U.S. have increased by 125% in direct competition with California Bartlett and Bosc pears, particularly in the early season,” says Chris Zanobini, Executive Director of the California Pear Advisory Board. “Argentina has been flooding the U.S. market just before the start of California’s harvest in early July.”

Although Argentina supplies more than 90% of pears imported into the U.S. during winter months, Zanobini notes that roughly 70% of Argentine pear imports now arrive in April and May — after long storage periods and right as California growers prepare to ship their first fresh fruit.

James Christie, President of Bryant Christie Inc. (BCI), which represents several U.S. agricultural groups including the California pear industry, says the need for action is urgent.

“The stakes are high and this will be a challenge, but we are doing everything we can to fight for California farmers,” he says. “The USTR has indicated they are looking for ways to help U.S. farmers manage import pressures. That is exactly what we are asking for.”

Christie emphasized that tariffs alone are unlikely to solve the problem.

“We are requesting relief in the form of a quota on Argentine pears or a defined period during which these imports cannot enter the U.S.”

For more, continue reading at calpear.com.