In just one year, requests for Eden Pear in Italy have tripled

Rome: Four years after the planting of the first Eden pear trees in the province of Lecce, a recently introduced variety that boasts excellent adaptability to different soil and climate conditions, we are already looking forward to the next harvest, estimated for the end of August. The trees are currently in bloom.

Nurseryman Uzi Cairo of Cairo & Doutcher, the sole distributor of this cultivar in Italy, provided data on the new variety. (Pictured on the side with a box of Eden pears seven months after being harvested).

“In 2025, Italian growers experienced an unparalleled surge in sales and demand for plants, exceeding the previous year’s figures by three times. In comparison to the 50,000 plants cultivated in 2024, we have recently planted approximately 150,000. It is noteworthy that orders for Eden plants for the 2025/2026 season have already surpassed orders placed in the 2024/2025 season. The highest demand originates from southern Italy, particularly from Calabria, Apulia, and Basilicata, but we also observe significant interest from Piedmont and Emilia Romagna. The average area per farm is 5 hectares. In Apulia, there are municipalities, such as Acquaviva delle Fonti, where the area is 25 hectares. Additionally, first plantings are planned for Sicily, scheduled for 2026.”

The fruit’s most important quality characteristics include shelf-life, crunchiness, and sugar content (14 to 18°Brix). Experiments have demonstrated that the Eden plant is resistant to Stemphylium vesicarium, Alternaria spp, Fire blight, and Psylla. On average, 10-12 treatments/year are carried out, including 4-5 leaf fertilizers. The total costs for the annual management of one hectare are around 10,000 to 12,000 euros.

To ensure the availability of plants for the 2025/2026 season, Cairo advises Italian growers to place orders well in advance. “To secure the supply of plants, orders should be made well in advance. Otherwise, there will be a wait until 2027. To avoid any confusion, all orders for 2025/26 must be placed exclusively through our company. We will be the ones to confirm the final orders to the customer’s company,” explains the nurseryman.

The Eden pear is a promising crop, especially given the challenges faced by the pear-growing sector in recent years. “Buyers and supermarket platforms have expressed positive interest in offering this pear to consumers. In the previous season, the crop was limited in availability, with just over 300 tons of product harvested and sold. In 2024, only four customers received the product, while in 2025, Greenyard Fresh Italy plans to increase the volume, ensuring a stable supply to more customers. After two years on the market, the shelf life of Eden has been confirmed to be up to 7-8 months.”