The aim of this study was to relate pectin solubilisation and modification during fruit growth to genotypic differences in ripening-related softening. By comparing the polysaccharides extracted from cell walls offruitlet, expanding, mature, and ripe fruit with the activities of BGaland BGaland AFase and galactan and arabinan epitope abundance, we monitored the temporal and spatial distribution of the polysaccharides and their changes during development in the cell wall.