They’re juicy, low-GI, and packed with fibre. But behind the sweet simplicity of an Aussie pear lies a more sobering truth: many of Australia’s pear growers are fighting to survive.
This National Pear Week (2–8 June), community food network Box Divvy is encouraging Australians to take a fresh look at one of the country’s most underrated — and healthiest — fruits, and to support the people who grow it before more orchards disappear.
“Pears don’t spike blood sugar, they’re great for gut health, and they store well with little to no waste,” says Anton van den Berg, co-founder of Box Divvy. “There’s really no reason they should be in decline — and yet that’s exactly what’s happening.”
According to Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL), the value of the Australian pear industry dropped from $175 million in 2011 to just $67 million by 2020. In Victoria’s Goulburn Valley — where around 90 per cent of Australia’s pears are grown — some growers report having removed as much as half their orchards in recent years just to stay viable.
“Growing pears has been in our family for generations,” says Selim Shaholli, a grower from Shepparton. “We’re proud of what we produce, but it’s no secret that it’s become tougher to make it stack up. When people choose Aussie-grown pears, it really helps keep farms like ours going — and that support matters more than ever.”
Consumption is also slipping. In 2013, 61 per cent of Australian households bought pears; by 2023, that figure had dropped to 54 per cent.
But the deeper issue lies in the economics of the industry. The number of growers and trees continues to fall, driven by unsustainably low returns. Many say it’s increasingly difficult to grow pears profitably, citing supermarket tender processes that favour large buyers and lack transparency in how prices are set. For many growers, simply staying in the game is now the goal.
How to Get Involved This Week
National Pear Week is a chance for Australians to reconnect with this remarkable fruit and the growers behind it. Buy fresh, locally grown pears from your market or Box Divvy Hub and try a new recipe
National Pear Week is proudly supported by Box Divvy, a community-powered food network helping Australians reconnect with seasonal produce, reduce food waste, and ensure more of every food dollar goes back to the people who grow it.
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