Washington pear outlook curbed by winter cold

Cold damage over the winter will translate to lower Northwest pear output for 2024, industry leaders say.

The USDA in August predicted total Northwest pear production at 520,000 tons, down 22% from 2023.

Oregon pear production, forecast at 200,000 tons, is down 15% from last year, the forecast said; total Washington pear production, at 185,000 tons, is down 31% from 2023.

Tianna DuPont, a tree fruit extension specialist with Washington State University, said Wenatchee-area pear growers experienced cold temperatures in mid-January this year that resulted in winter damage.

In addition, she said there was winter damage from November in the previous year, which resulted in less fruiting wood compared to normal.

“We started off the season with lower-than-average crop estimates, and then we had a frost in the middle of March that has also damaged fruit with frost rings in some areas,” DuPont said. The damage is variable through the valley, but growers expect about half a crop in the Wenatchee River Valley this year, she added.

On the other hand, other pear-growing areas, such as the Yakima region, are looking good.

While it is impossible to say how winter damage could impact future production, DuPont said it will probably take a couple of years to return to average yield in the most damaged areas.

Harvest of bartlett pears had begun by Aug. 21. DuPont said pear harvest in the Wenatchee River Valley continues into October, but the shorter crop may accelerate timing.

Growing conditions for pears were good in August, which is expected to contribute to strong fruit quality, she said.

Pear acreage and operations in major Washington tree fruit producing counties

Source: USDA