Pear Estimate 2024 Pt 2
From the Ag Information Network, this is today’s Fruit Grower Report. While estimates for this year’s Northwest pear crop is the lowest in more than 40 years at 10.6 million boxes, many are asking why, what got us here?
Pear Bureau Northwest’s International Marketing Director, Jeff Correa says a hard freeze back in January impacted some areas very hard …
CORREA … “Trees affected in the older orchards just didn’t bounce back, didn’t set a crop, you know, for bloom. And we’ll see what happens going forward is whether these orchards will bounce back next year and, we hope, we hope we’ll have a good crop for next season.”
While the numbers are down, Correa says fruit quality varies …
CORREA … “I think it’s mixed district by district. I think some districts, we’re having good quality more in the normal range where you’re getting, you know, 80-85% U.S. Number One, you know, 10-15% Fancy and a little of third grade.”
Area’s that really felt the freeze, Correa says have more challenges …
CORREA … “Up in the Wenatchee district, I think there’s more issues with the cold spring left some frost rings on some of the pears there. So, the small volumes that they did have, those may be more impacted and become either Fancy or Third Grade depending on how large and prevalent that frost ring is. I think more so on the Anjou’s and maybe on the Bartletts.”
Harvest got underway in some areas in late August and will continue into October.
