Opportunities for Horticultural Production in Podlaskie Voivodhsip: Pears for Fresh Fruit Market

Podlaskie Voivodship is located in a climatic zone perceived as unfavourable for pear production. This study examines production, trade and consumption of pears in Poland and argues that Podlaskie Voivodship can exploit the existing demand for pears in the region given the physiological opportunities resulting from the phenomenon known as parthenocarpy. Parthenocarpy permits production of pears despite the flower damaging spring frosts. Regionally important pear cultivars are recognized and consumed by residents in the area and in the neighbouring countries located to the East and Northeast of Podlasie. Although Podlaskie Voivodship plays a secondary role in tree fruit production in Poland, pear production is relatively more important in the region than in the country as a whole. Moreover, it appears that the pattern of large and small crops in the region and in Poland follow different pattern making Podlaskie Voivodship a reliable supplier of pears in when the pear crop may be particularly small in the country as a whole. The growing popularity of pears with Polish consumers and preferences for the familiar cultivars such as ’Beurre Alexandre Lucas’ or ‘Conference’ produced in the region bodes well for producers, but attention to quality is necessary in the very competitive fresh fruit market. Additional markets in the neighbroing countries may offer additional opportunities for growers, who could expand pear production and benefit the regional economy.