Shanghai Hosts South African Pear Tasting Event

On Aug. 3, South Africa’s apple and pear industry association Hortgro Pome, in collaboration with luxury supermarket chain City’super and fruit importer Shanghai Shengguo Trading Co. Ltd., held this year’s first tasting event for South African pears, which took place at the IAPM Mall in Shanghai.

Vuyo Lingwati, political vice-consul at the South African Consulate General in Shanghai, who attended the event, emphasized the significance of the Chinese market for her country’s fruit exports. She recalled that pears from South Africa gained China market access in December 2021, with the initial batch arriving in September 2022. In 2023, South Africa delivered 2,250 metric tons of pears to China, marking a fourfold increase from 2022. According to Lingwati, China continues to be the most important market for South African fruit, bolstering the country’s position in the global fruit trade.

Jacques du Preez, general manager for trade and markets at Hortgro Pome, presented a speech via video, where he expressed particular confidence in the prospects of Forelle pears on the Chinese market. According to him, around 940 metric tons of this variety have already been sent to China this year, while the total export volume of apples and pears for 2024 currently stands at almost 14,600 metric tons.

Forelle pears are known for their scarlet blush, which develops on the sun-exposed area of the fruit. This variety is also distinguished by its thin, smooth skin and crisp flesh, characteristics that differ notably from those of Chinese pears. Jason Liu, international procurement manager at Shanghai Shengguo Trading Co. Ltd., shared several interesting facts about the variety as well as some eating tips. According to him, Forelle pears kept at low temperatures have a firm and crunchy texture, whereas those stored at room temperature become softer and juicier, entirely changing their flavor.

As part of the tasting session, international award-winning chef Ye Wei presented three specialties made using South African apples and pears. The delicacies included tuna cups with South African apples and pears paired with celery, roasted Forelle pears with Madagascar Tahitian vanilla, and Forelle pear sorbet flavored with Italian balsamic vinegar.

South African pears shipped to China are reported to meet the pesticide residue standards for export to the European Union and the United States and thus can be eaten with the peel. To achieve a richer flavor and higher nutritional value, Ye used both freshly sliced pears and heat-treated pears, deliberately retaining their peel throughout cooking.

After tasting the delicacies prepared by Ye, City’super personnel invited the attendees to prepare Cape Town rainbow sushi using South African pears. Inspired by fresh fruit, the sushi was praised for its refreshing flavor and allowed everyone to experience the summer sweetness of the “rainbow nation” of South Africa.

At the end of the event, Lingwati and the City’super procurement team visited the supermarket’s South African fruit sales section to learn about the sales environment and obtain feedback from consumers. With more South African apples and pears entering the Chinese market, customers are expected to have more chances to savor the summertime flavors of South African fruit.

Images: Shanghai Shengguo Trading Co. Ltd.

This article was based on a Chinese article. Read the original article.