Big Pears

The final number are not expected for some time yet on the 2013 pear harvest but what is known is that the size of the individual pears this year is above normal. So much so that Pear Bureau Northwest's President Kevin Moffitt says they are approaching the larger sizes with unique marketing approaches.

MOFFITT: We're setting up a lot of promotions and we're getting some pretty good response from retailers who have agreed to promote these larger sized fruits. So I think we have a pretty good window of opportunity at least through the first of the year to get some of the U.S. retailers exited about it.

Moffitt gives us an example.

MOFFITT: We are peaking on the 80 size in the red and green Anjou pears. That is a good thing but for example, 32, almost a third of the red and green Anjou pears are 70 and larger size. And that compares to last year which would probably be considered more normal season. And there were only 20% in the 70 to larger size so it is skewing quite a bit larger this year.

With larger fruit this year there is some concern over the export markets.

MOFFITT: The export markets are a very good outlet for the smaller sized fruit which in general will probably sell for less in the domestic market so if we can get a good outlet for it it helps the overall returns to the grower. The good news, I guess, would be the fact that since there is fewer smaller sized pears there'll probably be a little bit more demand keeping the prices fairly firm on the small sizes as well.

That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.