Pear Deal Pt 1
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with today’s Fruit Grower Report. Good news for Northwest Bartlett pear growers. Recognizing the inflationary challenges facing growers, Processors Del Monte and Nell Jones Food have agreed to a $15 per ton price adjustment.
Washington State Fruit Commission president, BJ Thurlby says the margins are slim for both growers and processors …
THURLBY … “We felt that the processors willingness to move up 5%, when they already have a negotiated price on the table, was kind of a coo for growers, certainly, and I think a real feather in the cap of the processors just to show that, hey, we recognize that this is one of those true symbiotic relationships where without the growers, you know, the processors don’t have a business, and without the processors, the growers don’t have a business when it comes to canned pears.”
Thurlby says it’s about teamwork …
THURLBY … “One of the things that makes the tree fruit industry great is, whether we’re talking about shippers, processors, retailers, whatever, at some point everyone starts to pull together and work like a team because that’s what has to happen for this segment for business and the tree fruit industry to be around.”
The adjustment, Thurlby says is big …
THURLBY … “Getting an extra $15 per ton lined up for our Grade #1 Pears was a homerun and we think we’re moving forward in a positive light and hopefully this will serve to keep Bartlett’s in the ground.”
Tune in tomorrow for more on the bonus for Bartlett pear growers.
