The EU last year was a bloodbath for all fruit.

At this time of year, growers focus only on one thing: getting their fruit off the trees in good condition for export markets.

This could have a downward impact on the final export figures.

There's so much debt got drawn up from last year's bad returns, another year like that is going to make it difficult for a significant chunk of the industry to survive.

We're hoping they'll rejuvenate the pear market.

Sugar in fruit only develops on the trees. Fruit never gets sweeter after it's picked,