Rainier Fruit Co. expects a strong-quality pear crop

Selah, Wash.-based Rainier Fruit Co. is expecting a high-quality pear crop.

"Early indicators are showing we have another great-quality crop this season," said Kari Gravrock, spokesperson for Rainier. "The range of sizing is expected to supply customers with options for both bulk and bag displays."

Rainier Fruit grows pears in both the Yakima and Wenatchee valleys, Gravrock said. That allows the company to provide premium and bagged-sized fruit to keep the marketer's programs running year-round. Rainier has a full assortment of conventional and organic bartlett, d'anjou, bosc and red pears.

The Northwest organic pear crop is expected to grow significantly, though some of that added volume may be purchased by processors, Gravrock said. The overall Northwest pear crop may be slightly down from a year ago, she said.

"The conventional crop is very similar to last year in volume overall for Rainier," Gravrock said. "Bosc will be down slightly compared to last year, but we expect some small increases with other varieties."