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.

Cooler than typical spring temps and extended high-temperature days this summer has pushed back the start date by about a week, Barkley said. Sizes are peaking a little smaller than typical this season, she said.

CMI’s pears grow in the Dryden/Peshastin Valley in Washington state, one of the best pear-growing regions in the world, Barkley said. “Our grower owners and network of more than 100 grower partners produce conventional and organic pears such as green and red bartlett, bosc, green and red d’anjou and starkrimson varieties.

“We have some gorgeous Starkrimson pears just starting to come off the trees,” Barkley said in late August. “These are customer favorites, treasured for their glorious vibrant red coloration and creamy, sweet flavor.”

From the start of harvest, CMI will have pears like bartlett, bosc, concorde and d’anjou. 

“No matter how you shake the tree, pears continue to maintain a strong and steady sales pace,” she said. “At CMI, we believe there are more pear customers to be found and driving pear trial is key to strong sales with promotions, great messaging, and handling tips because with Northwest pears the wait is worth it.”

One challenge for the industry now, Barkley said, is the heavy reliance on manual labor.

“The cost of production continues to be under extreme pressure in Washington state as we realize the highest cost of labor in the country,” Barkley said.

CMI, like all packers, is looking for more efficiencies in packing pears. 

“There are more challenges compared to apples due to the shape and delicate nature of the fruit,” Barkley said. “There is far less mechanization on pear lines, relying almost entirely on manual labor. We are working on packing into trays vs wrap packs but that looks to be a year or more away due to the tray development and testing processes. “

Additionally, CMI is looking at different boxes and vent patterns to maximize airflow for temperature control while maintaining proper hydration in the pears, she said. 

Barkley said the 2021-22 marketing season was strong.

“Pears continue to add value to produce department sales as they return to popularity,” she said. “Pears deliver a colorful merchandising opportunity, celebrating hues from green to yellow, gold to bright red.”

Barkley said a  robust display showcasing different pear varieties presents a visually appealing array of colors, offering opportunities for color breaks. 

Beyond that, she said there are “countless” cross-merchandising opportunities with baking items, salads, cheeses, meats, desserts, snack items, etc. 

CMI carries conventional pears in our Sweet Gourmet Pears label, which celebrates the specific culinary usages for d’anjou, bartlett, bosc and red pears, she said. 

CMI’s Daisy Girl Organics program was launched over a decade ago and quickly rose to the #1 independent best-selling brand for organic apples, pears and cherries, Barkley said.

Organic pears enjoy strong demand year-round. 

“We supply organic bartlett, anjou, bosc and starkrimson grown in Washington state and supported by word-class imports,” Barkley said. “We have found a lot of success with our pouch bag programs. The bags have information on how to check for ripeness and offer usage inspirations. Additionally, retailers are really starting to understand the importance of the pre-ripening process for winter pears and outlining specs to ensure a more consistent eating experience for consumers.”

She said the outlook for pears remains strong this season despite the weather challenges faced by growers.

“The future of pears is strong as growing and packing continues to evolve in becoming more efficient while being able to deliver a more consistent end product to consumers,” she said.