As California pear farmers prepare to begin harvest of the nation’s first pears of the year, shippers expect a return to normal volume following last year’s short crop.
The California Pear Advisory Board met last week and established a pre-season crop estimate of 2.4 million 36-pound box equivalents for all pear varieties grown in the state. Last year’s 1.7 million package crop was the smallest crop in the past five years.
“We are excited to be able to offer retailers a full crop of pears in the coming season,” said Chris Zanobini, Executive Director of the California Pear Advisory Board. “Weather conditions have been optimal for producing excellent quality pears.”
The first pears from California are expected to begin harvest the last week of June in the River pear growing district with Sunsprite and Starkcrimson varieties.
“Bartletts are the main variety grown in California and they are the most popular with shoppers,” said
Zanobini.
California is expecting to harvest 1.6 million packages of Bartlett pears this season, which compares to 1.2 million packages that were harvested last season. Bartlett pears are also the preferred variety for processing and California growers expect to deliver 75,000 tons to the processing sector.
“The industry is expecting volume to be ideal for early-season retail promotions running from mid-July through October,” Zanobini emphasized. “As always, the California River pear growing district will be the first fresh pear of the year just as pears imported from South America are finishing. Retailers should plan to begin featuring fresh, new crop pears from California as soon as they are available in mid-July.”
Zanobini explained that Bartlett harvest in the River district started July 10, with harvest in the Lake and Mendocino counties beginning July 31.
Growers are also expecting good volume of Golden Russet Bosc pears this season as well along with a mix of other pear varieties including Bosc, Comice, Seckel, French Butter and red varieties.
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