NW Pears in 2024 Pt 2

NW Pears in 2024 Pt 2

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
From the Ag Information Network, this is today’s Fruit Grower Report. At 10.6 million boxes, Northwest pear production for 2024 was down 31% from the five-year average with challenging weather in many growing regions.

But CarrieAnn Arias, president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest, says early estimates were for much worse …

ARIAS … “It’s turned out to be much better than what we had, better than the 8 million box crop. You know, over 10 which certainly feels a lot better than what we were thinking.”

That improvement, Arias says came with sizing issues …

ARIAS … “But now we have a problem. Some of the fruit is so huge that it’s a little bit different pack-out than what they were expecting.”

The problems, Arias says vary by region …

ARIAS … “Every growing region, of course, is a little bit different situation going on. And some places we’re gifted with pristine fruit, and others not so much, right. And Northwest means two states and several growing regions. So, that has been a challenge.”

As for the upcoming season, Arias things look good, so far …

ARIAS … “Again, I think it depends on where you grow. Certainly, I’ve heard very good things about what we’re seeing on the trees right now, for the next crop. So that, I think if you’re a farmer you have to live in a world of optimism regardless of whatever Mother Nature throws at you.

So, I feel like that is certainly a piece of it.”

Despite the smaller crop, Arias says pears are still expected to be a great eating experience for consumers.

The 2024 Northwest pear harvest was impacted by a number of weather-related problems like extreme cold in January, a cooler than normal spring, and summer hail in certain regions.

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