Interpera 2024 records a particularly high attendance

Interpera, the international pear congress, held this year in Portugal on 26 and 27 June, saw the largest number of participants in the last 10 years.

Around 200 producers, researchers , national and international companies from the sector gathered in the Oeste region, the cradle of Rocha pear production, to discuss the challenges and opportunities of pear production, in a rare opportunity to network and exchange multicultural business experiences.

In addition to the Portuguese numerous participation, there was a large foreign delegation, with 9 countries represented: Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, Argentina and the United States.

The Portuguese Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, José Manuel Fernandes, honoured the event with his presence, closing it with a message calling on all professionals to work together to meet the challenges facing the sector, and emphasising the need to promote and defend the Rocha pear, which represents Portuguese territory.

Mr Fernandes stated that “after a difficult campaign in 2023, mainly due to climate change which has affected the European productions, it is essential to invest in research to combat pests, cope with extreme weather and improve the commercial organisation of the sector”.

Over the course of the two days, the other challenges and opportunities impacting the sector were discussed: European regulations, water use, soil health, marketing, the orchard of the future, diseases and pests.

 

Interpera has also analysed the past campaign and revealed the first figures and first trends for the 2024 pear harvest in Europe, with a clear setback for the next production season due to unstable weather conditions:

• Belgium is forecasting a fall of almost 30%.
• Spain’s total will probably fall by 25% due to the effects of the water stress suffered by the trees during the last campaign.
• The Netherlands is forecasting a drop in its harvest too.
• Portugal, France and Italy are recovering their production but are not reaching their full potential.

 

Portugal is one of Europe’s leading pear producers. The Rocha variety, a symbol of the Oeste region, generates annual export revenues of around 85 million euros, reflecting the growing international demand for Pera Rocha. In 2022/2023, the national Pera Rocha was exported to 20 countries, with three main destinations occupying the podium: Europe (50%), Morocco (20%) and Brazil (20%).

 

Finally, the ANP and AREFLH, co-organisers of this year’s event, considered the event very successful and from participants feedback, agreed to define it as a “combination of professionalism and warm fellowship, allowing to create fruitful business contacts”.

Both organisations hope to see all the participants again for the next edition, the location of which will be revealed over the coming months to newsletter subscribers and on www.interpera.org.