The new season Northwest pear harvest was launched July 27, a little earlier than the normal mid-August start.
Since there was no carryover inventory from the previous year, new harvest arrived with fresh momentum. The season began in Medford, Oregon and is moving north through Mid-Columbia, Oregon, and into Yakima and Wenatchee, Washington.
“Following a smaller crop in 2024 and an abundant crop in 2025, this year’s pear crop is expected to be normal in size,” says Barbara Ruhs with USA Pears.
Recently, wildfires in Washington’s Okanogan region have affected some pear-growing communities. Because the situation is still evolving, it is too soon to determine the full impact on this year’s crop.
The fruit sized up well due to a mild winter and limited frost pressure. As a result, Bartlett pears are larger in size and supply of smaller fruit is more limited this season. While sizing is larger, it is too early to know which varieties will deliver the strongest final yields. Pears rely on cold storage to develop their natural sweetness and must continue to perform well through handling, storage, and distribution.