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For all marketers, the COVID-19 pandemic introduced more intensive marketing to consumers through social media and online platforms.

Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. exports of pears increased in the 2020-21 marketing season.

Grower-shippers of pears have dealt with multiple heat waves this season, and that is just another challenge that is testing their resiliency.

When it’s not Vidalia season, many sweet onion growers turn to Peru to satisfy their customers, and those customers should find a good crop from South American for fall 2021 and winter 2022.

Southeast U.S. blueberry shipments showed mixed trends in 2021, USDA data shows.

Central Florida blueberry fields for Dundee-based Florida Classic Growers Inc. should start harvest the last week of March, said Al Finch, president.

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

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.

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.

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.