National Pear Week Urges Australians to Back the Fruit That's Falling Through the Cracks - On behalf of Box Divvy

3 Jun 2025 11:06 AM

National Pear Week Urges Australians to Back the Fruit That’s Falling Through the Cracks

 

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 — a long-term decline that continues today, with 10% of the nation’s pear trees uprooted in 2023 alone as growers respond to falling returns and rising costs. In Victoria’s Goulburn Valley — where around 90% 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% of Australian households bought pears; by 2023, that figure had dropped to **54%*. With an ever-expanding fruit aisle featuring new options like pomegranates and persimmons — and the apple category constantly refreshed with branded varieties like Modi and Envy — pears have struggled to compete. Most pear varieties on shelves today, including Packham, Williams, Beurre Bosc and Nashi, have been around for decades.

 

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.

 

As part of National Pear Week, Box Divvy is encouraging members to support Australian pear growers by choosing fresh, seasonal varieties like Packham pears. Through its 300+ community-run Food Hubs across NSW and the ACT, Box Divvy helps connect people directly with local producers — offering fruit that is often up to 30% cheaper than supermarkets, with up to 60 cents of every dollar going back to the grower. It’s a model that supports fairer prices, reduces food waste, and helps keep orchards viable.

Despite the challenges, pears remain one of the most nutritious and versatile fruits Australians can buy. With a very low Glycaemic Index of around 30 (compared to 60–80 for fruits like pineapple, watermelon and banana), they provide slow-burning energy — ideal for children, diabetics or anyone watching blood sugar. They’re also high in fibre — about 50% more than apples — and packed with vitamin C, potassium and antioxidants.

“It’s not just that pears are healthy — they’re incredibly practical,” says van den Berg. “They ripen after harvest, so they travel well, last longer in the fruit bowl, and create very little waste. They’re the kind of fruit that just makes sense.”

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. Try a new recipe — poached, grilled, baked or just crisp and cold. Share your favourite variety online using #NationalPearWeek, and take a moment to learn about the challenges facing Australian fruit producers.

 

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.

 

Available for interview:

• Anton van den Berg, Co-Founder, Box Divvy
• Salim Shaholli, pear farmer in Shepparton

 

Photos and footage available here

 

Media Contacts:
Fleur Townley | [email protected] | 0405 278 758
Greg Townley | [email protected] | 0414 195 908

 

 

About Box Divvy
Box Divvy is an innovative food cooperative connecting Australian farmers with local communities. Members order online and collect their groceries from a local Hub, often run by a neighbour. The offerings include fresh, seasonal produce, pantry staples, and chilled items, delivered quickly to ensure quality. With over 300 Hubs and 13,000 members across NSW and ACT, Box Divvy provides a cost-effective alternative to supermarkets while ensuring farmers are fairly compensated. Learn more at www.boxdivvy.com.

 

 

 

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