Latest News From Northwest Pears

Northwest pear volume could be up slightly for CMI Orchards, says Sarah Barkley, sales manager and pear lead for the Wenatchee, Wash.-based marketer.

U.S. exports of fresh pears for the 12-month period from July 2021 to June 2022 totaled $148.1 million, down 1% from the previous year. 

Cold spring weather has hurt crop volume for Hood River, Ore.-based Duckwall Fruit, says Ed Weathers, sales manager.

The 2022 Northwest fresh pear crop estimate is 16.2 million standard box equivalents, close to the five-year average, according to the Pear Bureau Northwest.

Pears are skewing toward younger consumers and the Pear Bureau Northwest is designing media campaigns to speak to them, says Kevin Moffitt, president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest.

Bartlett pear harvest began in mid-August for Yakima, Wash.-based Sage Fruit, and the company’s other pear varieties will follow closely behind in early September, says Chuck Sinks, president of sales and marketing. 

With the purchase of the Stadelman Fruit operations in Odell, Ore., earlier this summer, Yakima-based Washington Fruit Growers expects its total pear volume to be up 25%, says Steve Smith.

With crop volumes expected similar to a year ago, Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers LLC will offer both organic and conventional pears this season.

The initial industry projection for the 2022 Northwest pear crop is close to last year’s in volume, according to Kevin Moffitt, president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest.

CMI Orchards is partnering with the firm’s retail customers in new ways this year with the customized digital and omnichannel vehicles now available.

Wenatchee, Wash.-based Starr Ranch Growers is optimistic about its 2021 pear crop.

Stemilt Growers sources its Rushing Rivers label pears from the Wenatchee and Entiat River Valleys, said Brianna Shales, marketing director for the Wenatchee, Wash.-based company.

Rainier Fruit Co. grows pears all through the central corridor of Washington, from the Canadian to Oregon borders, said David Armenta, director of export sales for the Selah, Wash.-based marketer.

Though end-of-year promotions are big every year, Northwest pears offer robust promotion opportunities well into 2022, marketers say.

Sage Fruit Co. pears are grown and harvested in the Yakima Valley, as well as parts of Oregon, said Chuck Sinks, president of sales and marketing for the Yakima, Wash.-based company.

Yakima, Wash.-based fifth-generation Superfresh Growers is the largest organic pear grower in the Northwest, said Cat Gipe-Stewart, communication manager for Superfresh Growers, Yakima, Wash.

Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. exports of pears increased in the 2020-21 marketing season.

For all marketers, the COVID-19 pandemic introduced more intensive marketing to consumers through social media and online platforms. 

Grower-shippers of pears have dealt with multiple heat waves this season, and that is just another challenge that is testing their resiliency.

The Packer's Sept. 6 issue includes special coverage of the Northwest pear deal, and we want to hear from you, growers and marketers.

Adding a spark to a familiar pear variety, Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers is promoting the starkrimson red pear as the Sparkrimson.

A devastating fire has led to a new and improved operation for Washington Fruit & Produce Co., which partners with Mount Adams Fruit.

Mexico is a dominant buyer of Northwest pear exports, but other markets also seem to grow their appetites for the product, according to Milwaukie, Ore.-based Pear Bureau Northwest.

Green and red anjous, as well as bartlett and bosc, comprise 96% of this year’s Northwest pear crop, according to the Milwaukie, Ore.-based Pear Bureau Northwest. 

Pear volumes out of the Pacific Northwest in 2019 will be down, and the crop will late, but growers, shippers and marketers are upbeat about the upcoming season.

Catch up on a few quick updates from grower-shippers and marketers of Pacific Northwest pears.

Yakima, Wash.-based Domex Superfresh Growers is looking to the sun for sustainability, said David Roby, brand manager.

Lodi, Calif.-based Rivermaid Trading Co. has added two new growers to its Northwest pear program, said Scott Martinez, vice president of sales and the program’s manager in Medford, Ore.

It’s a busy time of year for pear marketers, who are working with retailers to move as much fruit as possible.

The Northwest pear industry likely will have to live without China this season, but export markets elsewhere appear to be wide open.

A bigger Northwest pear crop will give retailers plenty of promotion opportunities this year.

Pear marketers can expect a lot more fruit to market this year than they had in 2017, according to the latest forecast from the Milwaukie, Ore.-based Pear Bureau Northwest.

Pear Bureau Northwest, Milwaukie, Ore., is bringing back its USA Pears How Do You Anjou? Instagram contest for the third year.

Catch up on the latest updates from companies featured in The Packer's 2017 Northwest Pears shipping profile.

HOOD RIVER, Ore. — Retail interest in organic pears has prompted growers to continue investing in that area.

Catch the latest from companies featured in The Packer's 2016 Northwest Pears shipping profile.

Driven by high demand and premium prices, the 2016 Northwest organic pear crop is trending higher.