Latest News From Pears

 Pear Bureau executive elected chairman of World Apple and Pear Association
Pear Bureau executive elected chairman of World Apple and Pear Association

The World Apple and Pear Association has elected Jeff Correa, director of international marketing at Pear Bureau Northwest, as chairman of the association.

CMI notes strong growth in branded organic apple sales
CMI notes strong growth in branded organic apple sales

The Wenatchee, Wash.-based company is reporting major growth in branded organic apple sales dollars and more promotion opportunities ahead.

USA Pears to celebrate World Pear Day with live stream demos, new recipes
USA Pears to celebrate World Pear Day with live stream demos, new recipes

“For the eighth annual World Pear Day celebration, USA Pears will once again be partnering with the online platform, Kittch, to showcase six popular chefs preparing a variety of global dishes,” said Jeff Correa of PBNW.

Chilean grape exporters look for big increase in production and exports
Chilean grape exporters look for big increase in production and exports

Chilean table grape production will jump by nearly 15% in the 2023-24 marketing year, a new report from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service says.

Stemilt Growers offers big volume of organic apple and pear favorites
Stemilt Growers offers big volume of organic apple and pear favorites

Stemilt Growers produces nearly 30% of its apples and about 15% of its pears organically, says Brianna Shales, marketing director for the Wenatchee, Wash.-based marketer.

Stemilt to spotlight new varieties at IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show
Stemilt to spotlight new varieties at IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show

“We can’t wait to share with retailers the strategic growth that has come to light with this year’s crop of apples and pears, and Stemilt specifically,” said Stemilt’s Brianna Shales.

Leveling up apple and pear packaging
Leveling up apple and pear packaging

Washington-based grower-shipper Superfresh Growers has introduced its first apple and pear bags made from post-consumer recycled plastic.

Stemilt Growers expects quality pear crop
Stemilt Growers expects quality pear crop

Stemilt Growers expects a strong pear crop in 2023, says Brianna Shales, marketing director for the Wenatchee, Wash.--based marketer.

Northwest fruit growers Starr Ranch Growers and CMI Orchards join forces
Northwest fruit growers Starr Ranch Growers and CMI Orchards join forces

The two Wenatchee, Wash.-based fruit companies are partnering to expand the combined apple, pear and cherry offerings.

CMI looks for abundant volume in exceptional pear crop
CMI looks for abundant volume in exceptional pear crop

CMI Orchards expects abundant volume and excellent quality for its 2023 pear crop.

Superfresh Growers looks for an increase in its proprietary Mardi Gras pear volume
Superfresh Growers looks for an increase in its proprietary Mardi Gras pear volume

Domex Superfresh Growers is forecasting its 2023 pear crop will be down just slightly from last year.

Northwest pear shippers find their best market in Mexico
Northwest pear shippers find their best market in Mexico

Export demand may account for perhaps 30% of Northwest pear volume in 2023, said Kevin Moffitt, president and CEO of the Pear Bureau Northwest.

Northwest fresh pear industry shares 2023 crop estimate and promotions
Northwest fresh pear industry shares 2023 crop estimate and promotions

The Northwest pear industry’s fresh pear estimate for 2023 is on par with the four-year average.

New pear variety gains licensing to enter U.S. market
New pear variety gains licensing to enter U.S. market

The Celina cv. pear — marketed as QTee in other growing regions — has been granted approval to enter the U.S. market through Washington-based Proprietary Variety Management.

Report: EU apple, pear output dips
Report: EU apple, pear output dips

That is the view of the World Apple and Pear Association, according to a report from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Association.

Will Northwest pears bounce back from last year’s smaller crop?
Will Northwest pears bounce back from last year’s smaller crop?

While the official Northwest pear forecast won’t be released until September, indications in late August pointed to a crop that is consistent with the four-year average output.

CMI reveals new pear-packing technology
CMI reveals new pear-packing technology

Wenatchee, Wash.-based CMI Orchards is introducing new pear-packing technology that the company says has strong benefits to retailers and consumer.

Fresh pear continuation referendum passes with 99% approval
Fresh pear continuation referendum passes with 99% approval

Pear producers in Washington and Oregon have elected to continue their federal marketing order this year with a 99% approval vote.

Oregon and Washington pear producers vote to continue federal marketing order
Oregon and Washington pear producers vote to continue federal marketing order

The vote allows the Oregon and Washington pear industry and the Fresh and Processed Pear Committee to conduct production and marketing research and promotional initiatives including paid advertising with USDA oversight.

USA Pears recognized in Good Housekeeping’s 2023 Best Snack Awards
USA Pears recognized in Good Housekeeping’s 2023 Best Snack Awards

USA Pears has announced that its 10 pear varieties were recognized in Good Housekeeping’s 2023 Best Snack Awards.

Fresh Trends 2023: 1 in 4 consumers purchased pears during past year
Fresh Trends 2023: 1 in 4 consumers purchased pears during past year

The USDA reports retail per capita availability of fresh pears has declined slightly in the past decade.

Superfresh Growers sees the growing importance of organic fruit
Superfresh Growers sees the growing importance of organic fruit

Twenty percent of the fruit marketed by Domex Superfresh Growers is organic, and that percentage is on the way to 25%, says Cat Gipe-Stewart, director of marketing for the Yakima, Wash.-based marketer.

Northwest organic tree fruit set to increase for Sage Fruit Co.
Northwest organic tree fruit set to increase for Sage Fruit Co.

Excellent growing conditions are on tap for Northwest fruit, and that means organic fruit volume will increase later this year for Yakima, Wash.-based Sage Fruit Co., says Chuck Sinks, president of sales and marketing.

Morning Kiss Organic to offer 3 imported pear varieties
Morning Kiss Organic to offer 3 imported pear varieties

The Chelsea, Mass.-based brand says it will work with partners in Argentina and offer a 2-pound pear bag, with pears also available in full-size cartons or half-cartons.

How to entice shoppers to buy more organic
How to entice shoppers to buy more organic

Shoppers are willing to try new varieties if given the proper incentive. That can include providing a better understanding about flavor profiles so they can make informed decisions, says Danelle Huber of CMI Orchards.

Later start but good quality expected for California tree fruit, melons
Later start but good quality expected for California tree fruit, melons

California is expected have plenty of good-quality tree fruit, melons and other commodities this summer, though some items might get off to a later start than usual, and early volume on others may be off a bit.

Stemilt investing in automated pear packing line
Stemilt investing in automated pear packing line

The Wenatchee, Wash.-based company aims to have the foundation and walls of the building complete by the end of August and have the line fully operational by 2024.

Pure Flavor adds organic acreage
Pure Flavor adds organic acreage

The Leamington, Ontario-based company has increased its owned acreage with a 40-acre expansion that will bring organic tomatoes and cucumbers to market in early spring, increasing growing area at the facility to 115 acres.

Stemilt launches EZ Band package
Stemilt launches EZ Band package

Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers LLC launched a new sustainable package called the EZ Band last fall, and it recently launched an organic Cosmic Crisp version, said Brianna Shales, marketing director.

Superfresh to offer organic Evercrisp apples, Mardi Gras pears
Superfresh to offer organic Evercrisp apples, Mardi Gras pears

Yakima, Wash.-based Superfresh Growers is entering its second year of growing and selling Evercrisp apples, said Catherine Gipe-Stewart, director of marketing.

Superfresh Growers debuts new pear variety, the Mardi Gras pear
Superfresh Growers debuts new pear variety, the Mardi Gras pear

The medium-sized winter pear variety launches its first season in February and likely selling into April 2023.

Pear Bureau Northwest to focus on global recipes and events for worldwide pear celebration
Pear Bureau Northwest to focus on global recipes and events for worldwide pear celebration

Activities will include in-person events and online experiences.

Get shoppers to fall for pears
Get shoppers to fall for pears

As we steamroll through fall (hey, where did 2022 go?), we have to continually switch up our counters with the abundant fall crops and bountiful fruit that the season provides.

Stemilt breaks ground on new pear packing facility
Stemilt breaks ground on new pear packing facility

The Washington-based tree fruit grower is building a new facility to support new pear varieties and growth.

Stemilt Growers sees an increase in organic Cosmic Crisp volume
Stemilt Growers sees an increase in organic Cosmic Crisp volume

Nearly 25% of Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers' apple crop is grown and certified organic for the 2022 crop, says Brianna Shales, marketing director.

 Augmented reality offered to pear consumers
 Augmented reality offered to pear consumers

The Milwaukie, Ore.-based Pear Bureau Northwest’s new augmented reality experience reaches consumers in a fun, more immersive way. 

Pear supply lining up with demand for Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers
Pear supply lining up with demand for Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers

The 2022 pear crop supply should line up well with demand for Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers, says Dan Davis, director of business development.

CMI Orchards look for a slight increase in pear volume
CMI Orchards look for a slight increase in pear volume

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

Rainier Fruit Co. expects a strong-quality pear crop
Rainier Fruit Co. expects a strong-quality pear crop

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

Mexico occupies the top spot for U.S. pear exports
Mexico occupies the top spot for U.S. pear exports

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 leads to lower pear volume for Duckwall Fruit in Oregon 
Cold spring leads to lower pear volume for Duckwall Fruit in Oregon 

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

Northwest fresh pear industry announces 2022 crop estimates and promotion plans
Northwest fresh pear industry announces 2022 crop estimates and promotion plans

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.

Pear Bureau Northwest aims campaigns to younger consumers
Pear Bureau Northwest aims campaigns to younger consumers

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.

Sage Fruit Co. readies for pear harvest, expanded availability 
Sage Fruit Co. readies for pear harvest, expanded availability 

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. 

Washington Fruit Growers to feature expanded pear volume
Washington Fruit Growers to feature expanded pear volume

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.

Stemilt Growers sees strong marketing prospects for pears
Stemilt Growers sees strong marketing prospects for pears

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

Northwest pear crop similar to 2021 volume, industry estimate projects
Northwest pear crop similar to 2021 volume, industry estimate projects

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.

Organic Northwest pear crop is promising, marketer reports
Organic Northwest pear crop is promising, marketer reports

The Pacific Northwest organic pear crop looks promising, as estimates point to an increase in volume over last year, according to Domex Superfresh Growers.

USDA predicts bigger U.S. apple crop for 2022
USDA predicts bigger U.S. apple crop for 2022

The USDA’s 2022 U.S. apple production estimate is 10.1 billion pounds, up 3% from the previous year. 

Amy Sowder
Why this pear was so surprising

On a recent spring morning, I found myself leaving an appointment in New York City’s Chinatown. As I spilled onto the sidewalk, I faced all sorts of unfamiliar fresh produce displayed on tables on almost every block.