“Kyo” branded Kyotango Pears started shipping at the end of August from Kumihama’s JA Kyoto Kumihama Pear Sorting Plant. Farmers were concerned by the small amount of rain this year, but were able to harvest large and high sugar pears.

Kyotango Nashi Pears refer to “Gold 20th Century” Pears and other varieties where the sugar contest is 11.5 degrees Brix or more, and are a specialty product of Kyotango during the fall. They are grown by about 30 farmers, who work 12 hectars of farmland in Kumihama and Amino.

Farmers loaded fresh pears into the sorting plant from early in the morning. Workers at the plant took the fruit from its bag, checked for blemishes or bruises and transferred the fruit to a conveyer belt. A sensor measured the sugar content, and the pears were seperated by size, with those fit for sale loaded into boxes.

“There was not much rain, but they actually grew quite large. They have plenty of sweetness”, said farmer Daisuke Nose (45, Kumihama-cho Kyotango).

The harvest well continue until late September, and the farmers expect to send about 150 tons of pears to the Kyoto City Central Wholesale Market.

Copyright © The Kyoto Shimbun

Translated by Kyotango City Tourism Association