Yakima, Wash.-based Washington Fruit Growers expects a good volume of pears this year, said Dan Davis, director of business development.
For the 2024 crop, Davis said Washington Fruit Growers anticipates about 50% of a normal crop for bosc, down from the company’s record bosc volume of 2023.
“For us, the 2023 crop was a record for bosc and pretty average for both and anjou and barlett,” he said.
For 2024, the marketer’s anjou and bartletts are about 80% of a crop and clean, Davis said.
“Overall, the industry looks to be much more down, but our location fared better through the freezing months than those in the north,” he said.
Washington Fruit Growers has increased its pear volumes by about 20% over the last five years, Davis said.
“The majority of increases have been with anjou and bartlett,” he said. “However, comice has been one variety that has been increasing in favor lately,” he said.
In general, Davis said Sage Fruit will have a larger share of the Northwest pear tonnage this year than previous due to growth and its location.
“We’ll be able to maintain programs well this year with the retailers we’re partnered with,” he said. “We want to highlight pears where we can, but supply will make that difficult.”
At retail, Davis said more pears are being sold with fixed-weight packaging over time.
Retailers can maximize pear sales by making them prevalent.
“Pears often get lost in the shuffle,” Davis said. “They need a call out and some point-of-sale merchandising to keep consumers aware.”
