Northwest pear production dips, but some varieties see gains
Fresh pears out of Washington’s Wenatchee and Yakima districts and Oregon’s Mid-Columbia and Medford districts are expected to be down 2% from 2016 and 10% less than the five-year average.
Kevin Moffitt, president and CEO of the Pear Bureau Northwest, said in a news release that growers are reporting excellent quality on what should be a nearly 18 million-box crop.
“This is an early estimate, and we hope for great pear growing weather throughout the season,” Moffitt said.
Steve Lutz, senior strategist for CMI Orchards, Wenatchee, Wash., said pear shipments through June 15 have been 10.3 million cartons, down 9% from last year and down 18% from 2015.
Moffitt said pears will be picked this season during the traditional harvest times.
“The early seasons are always difficult, as the tree fruit industry works with a limited pool of employees,” he said.
“Northwest pears will enter the market in September, right as California pears are finishing their season. In some markets, there is overlap, depending on those harvest dates.”
On June 19, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported prices of $23-27 for 4/5-bushel cartons of Washington anjous 70-90s. Sizes 100s and 120s were $22-26, while 110s were $20.75-24.
Moffitt said bagged pears continue to grow in popularity as shoppers appreciate the convenience.
“The bags are often filled with smaller pears, perfect for kids and a small addition to meals and snacks,” he said.
Brianna Shales, communications manager for Stemilt Growers LLC, Wenatchee, agreed, saying retailers should carry bagged pears to boost purchase size.
Stemilt plans to promote ripened pears to increase sell-through, Shales said.
The Pear Bureau Northwest forecasted 1.1 million boxes of red anjous for this season, up 10% from 2016.
However, Tim Evans, general sales manager for Chelan Fresh Marketing, Chelan, Wash., said there are more red anjous available in the market at the end of the season than usual, estimating there are about 750,000 (44-pound equivalent boxes) still for sale.
“It’s been a bit of struggle to move the red anjous,” he said. “But now they will be at a good price to move in the next few weeks.”
Evans said demand for red anjous is down in the U.S. and Canada.
