Fewer 'pera llimonera' common pears this summer as harvest begins 

The common pear harvest, known as 'pera llimonera' in Catalan, began in western Catalonia this week with a 'normal' campaign foreseen and a 'really good' quality of fruits.  

A good condition of the fruit would compensate for a decrease in production, which is estimated to have declined between 30 and 40% in some fields according to the Farmer's Union. 

However, Catalonia's fruit business group (Afrucat) and the Climate Action Ministry estimate the decline in production of the common pear to be of 15% - half of what the Union states. The ministry calculates that the decline of production in all the species of pears will decrease by 33% in general this season.  

The decline is a consequence of the effects the on-going drought has had on trees. However, the fruit that remained has grown more and has more commercial appeal.  

Jaume Gardeñas, a farmer in the western town of Alamús (Segrià) and spokesperson for Farmer's Union explained to the Catalan News Agency that he expects to harvest between 14 and 15,000 kilograms per hectare, whereas in a normal year he would harvest 25,000.  

In addition to the drought, the high temperatures during last year's season made underdeveloped buds in the trees. That has allowed for the remaining fruit in the tree to grow stronger and have better quality results.  

The harvest will see an even deeper decline in production in the Segrià area, which was affected by hailing that felt at the beginning of July.