Whether you like them crisp or soft, fresh or poached, pears offer a pear-fect mix of flavour, nutrition, and versatility.
Welcome to Pear-adise
It’s about recognising one of Australia’s most sustainable and accessible fruits – and the people who grow them.
Pears don’t always get the attention they deserve. With changing consumer habits and increasing market pressures, many growers are doing it tough. Some historic orchards have already closed.
Others are holding on – but just.
This week is a chance to pause, appreciate, and show support. Whether you’re buying pears from your local market, trying a new variety, or simply learning something new – you’re helping keep a piece of Australia’s food story alive.
National Pear Week is proudly supported by Box Divvy – helping reconnect communities with seasonal produce, reduce food waste, and ensure that more of every food dollar goes back to the people who grow it.
Pear Pressure: The Squeeze on Aussie Growers
Australia’s pear industry has experienced a significant downturn over the past decade, with the number of apple and pear growing establishments dropping from 1,279 in 1998 to 731 by 2011—a 43% decline.
This trend has persisted, particularly in Victoria’s Goulburn Valley, which produces about 90% of the nation’s pears. Many growers in this region have removed substantial portions of their orchards due to declining profitability.
Several factors contribute to this decline:
- Economic Challenges: Low pear prices and rising production costs have made farming less viable.
- Labor Costs: Changes in labor regulations, such as the shift from piece rates to hourly hire rates, have increased expenses for growers.
- Consumer Preferences: A decrease in consumer demand for pears has led to oversupply and reduced prices.
- Processing Industry Changes: Major processors like SPC have reduced their intake of canned pears by more than 40%, impacting growers reliant on these contracts.
As of the 2022–23 period, there are over 400 commercial apple and/or pear growers in Australia. However, specific numbers for pear-only growers are not distinctly reported, making it challenging to determine the exact number of growers who have ceased pear production. The value of the pear industry has also declined, dropping from $175 million in 2011 to $67 million in 2020.
Pears aren’t just delicious – they’re incredibly good for you.
They’re low GI, rich in fibre, and full of natural fructose (a sugar that’s easier on blood sugar levels).
Their high fibre content helps slow digestion, providing more stable energy and better gut health.
Pears are also packed with vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants – all in a fruit that’s simple to eat, easy to store, and naturally waste-free.
In Season at the moment with Box Divvy – Packham Pears. CHECK THIS
History of Pearfection
Pears have been grown and loved for more than 4,000 years. Ancient cultures in China, Mesopotamia, and Egypt prized them for their flavour and healing properties. The Greeks and Romans helped spread pears throughout Europe, where they were later cultivated in royal gardens and monastery orchards.
In Australia, pears arrived with European settlers in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Orchards were soon established in temperate regions, especially in the Goulburn Valley in Victoria. Shepparton and surrounds became known as Australia’s pear heartland – and remain so today. But pears also thrive in parts of New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia.
Fun Facts
Did You Know?
- Pears float because they’re 84% water.
- They ripen best off the tree – unlike many other fruits.
- Ancient Chinese culture saw pears as a symbol of immortality.
- There are over 3,000 varieties of pears grown around the world.
- Some Australian pear trees are more than 100 years old and still producing.
- In Roman times, pears were regularly cooked with wine and honey – a tradition we happily continue.
Meet the Farmers
Snapshots from pear orchards around Australia – from family farms in Victoria’s fruit bowl to boutique growers in Tasmania and WA. These are the people who care for the trees, pick the fruit, and keep this beautiful crop alive year after year.
Where Pears Grow
Australian pears grow in some of the most fertile and beautiful regions in the country:
- Goulburn Valley, VIC – Home to generations of growers and commercial production
- Orange & Bathurst, NSW – Cool-climate orchards with volcanic soils
- Huon Valley, TAS – Pristine southern landscapes perfect for fruit
- Adelaide Hills, SA – Known for heritage orchards and smaller-scale farms
- Manjimup & Donnybrook, WA – Producing high-quality fruit in the southwest
- Southern Highlands, NSW & Yarra Valley, VIC – Emerging boutique regions
Celebrate National Pear Week with Box Divvy!
- This National Pear Week, join Box Divvy in celebrating the delightful diversity of Australian pears—featuring the Powerful Packhams, Blissful Beurre Bosc, Noble Nashi, and Cheerful Corellas. These fresh, locally grown varieties are not only delicious but also support our Aussie farmers.
Why choose Box Divvy?
- Freshness Guaranteed: Our produce is picked to order, ensuring you receive the freshest pears directly from the farm.
- Transparency: We tell you how much we pay the farmer & how much you pay. Yes, really, we tell you our cost price.
- Support Local Farmers: By sourcing Australian local, we ensure that farmers receive fair compensation, with up to 60 cents of every dollar going directly to them.
- Affordable Prices: Up to 30% cheaper than supermarket prices, making healthy eating accessible for all.
- Community Driven: Join one of our 250+ Food Hubs across NSW and the ACT, and become part of a community committed to sustainable and healthy living.
- Keep updated with farmers: Newsletters about seasons, produce booming or struggling, farmer stories, recipes and so much more, go out weekly.
We also run the Unsupermarket podcast where we interview farmers and suppliers so you can get behind the scene knowledge! - Opportunity for income: Work from home? Our community based hubs involve one person packing individual boxes for 15-60 neighbours. It’s a great way to meet those in your neighbourhood and be compensated for your time! It may interest you, but it’s not required! Click here to find out about being a Hubster.
Make the Switch Today – Click here to find out more!
Ditch the canned alternatives and experience the superior taste and nutrition of fresh pears. By choosing Box Divvy, you’re not only treating yourself to delicious fruit but also contributing to a more sustainable and fair food system. We offer Australian Fruit and Veg, meat, bread, eggs and all pantry items and our range is growing 1000+
We are focusing on supplying Australian owned and made products.
Check out an interview with a Pear Farmer from Shepparton, VIC below: