Northwest pear shipments are underway and estimated at 19.9 million boxes for the season. Both apple and pear shipments are increasing.
This is down slightly from an earlier estimate last spring. However, this will still be the fifth largest crop on record. It’s 4 percent less than 2014 but just 1 percent less than the five-year average. The record is 21.6 million in 2013.
Overall, the Northwest provide good loading opportunities, not only for pears this season, but apple shipments are predicted to be the third largest volume on record.
The Wenatchee district forecast was revised downward from 9.4 million to 9.24 million boxes.
The next district in volume, Yakima, is forecast down 12 percent, the Mid-Columbia (Hood River, Ore.) is down 7 percent and the smallest in volume, Medford, is up 16 percent.
Washington state is shipping nearly 500 truck load equivalents of pears a week, with weekly volume from the new crop still increasing.
Apple shipments from Washington are hitting about 1,800 truck load equivalents each week, but still increasing as new crop volume is on the rise, and the old crop winds down.
Washington state apples and pears – grossing about $6800 to New York City.
Virginia Apples
In 2015, the U.S. Department of Agriculture expects Virginia apple shipments to total 180 million pounds.
Virginia is ranked No. 6 among apple-growing states. Quality this season is reported to be good.