MAP & OTHER TECHNOLOGIES TO DECREASE THE STORAGE PERIOD OF FORELLE PEARS

South Africa has two main bicolour pear cultivars which are exported to Europe – Rosemarie and Forelle. Forelle sold before 12 weeks cold storage may not ripen normally, and are often astringent, mealy – or both. Consequently, Forelle pears are subjected to a mandatory 12 week cold storage period before they can be sold, creating a gap in the supply of bicolour pears to the market. The urgent requirement to maintain this bicolour supply sometimes results in Forelle being harvested too early, resulting in fruit of unacceptable eating quality.