Northwest pears got a slightly earlier harvest start and will also finish up early this fall. Superfresh Growers began packing organic Bartlett pears on August 7--three days early only. “We will finish a few weeks earlier than last year due to a condensed growing season,” says Cat Gipe-Stewart, director of marketing with Superfresh Growers. “Fruit is coming off faster and earlier this year. With labor being better than in years past, the condensed growing season hasn’t been an issue for getting fruit off at the right time.” She also adds that the crop saw very little pest pressure and minimal frost damage, resulting in a very clean pear crop with average sizing.
Superfresh's Ray Schmitten looking through an Anjou block in the Peshastin, Washington area.
Early numbers on a harvest that is still underway indicate that the overall Northwest pear crop is down six percent, but organics are forecast to be up 50 percent from last year. “Organic pear growth is led largely by Red Pears, up nearly 100 percent; Bosc, up 80 percent; and Comice, up 72 percent. All organics are up, though, which will help provide a healthy organic promotional display,” says Gipe-Stewart.
For Superfresh, its pear crop is projected to be up about one percent. Its biggest areas of growth are Comice, Concorde and Organic Red Bartlett. “Bosc is also projected to be up 20 percent for Superfresh,” she says, noting the variety merchandises especially well during the fall and winter holidays given the russet of the variety gives a golden sheen that can compliment holiday table displays.
Jump on Starkrimson
On the Starkrimson variety, it was up 56 percent. “The eating quality and sales have been great, which kicks off a strong red pear season,” says Gipe-Stewart.
Superfresh green Anjou pears three weeks before harvest.
On its Mardi Gras® pear, an exclusive variety for Superfresh, it expects a similar introductory volume this year as was seen last year when the pear launched. The pear is an elongated bottle-shaped medium-sized winter pear with a natural russet over a green background. It’s a sweet, buttery, juicy variety that will be released in the new year. The Conference pear, Europe’s favorite variety, is a parent of this pear.
As for demand, it’s strong for pears. “Organic volume is up six percent according to Nielsen data over the last four weeks. I anticipate organic pears to continue to grow in movement as the industry is up 50 percent,” says Gipe-Stewart.
That kind of volume also means pears are poised for promotions. “Data shows us that pears sell best when merchandised and promoted with multiple varieties together,” she says. “We suggest promoting red and green or green and brown pears at the same time.”
Pricing updates
Meanwhile on pricing, looking at the last 52 weeks, the pear category is up $0.16/lb, with an average of $2.06/lb. at retail (Nielsen scan data through 9-9-23). Asian pears top the highest retail at $4.23/lb, up $0.17 though Red Bartletts are also strong at retail at $2.37/lb, up $0.03. The only pears that experienced a decline in retail over the last 52 weeks were Comice (down $0.06 to $2.50) and Forelle (down $0.01 to $2.52/lb.).
Red Anjou pears.
What also continues to affect pricing are continuously increasing input costs as well as increased governmental regulation, says Gipe-Stewart. “Superfresh Growers is farming and acting out practices to ensure we will have a crop 100 years from now--conservation of water and energy, development of technologies that reduce touches and passes, and programs like EFI that support healthy and happy employees, as well as reducing our carbon footprint,” she says. “What is missing is out of farmers’ control--a serious rationalization of the expensive and oppressive regulations by national, state and local government agencies. Even if well intended, they are a real threat to the longevity of farmers and farm workers.”
In the shorter term, looking ahead, the movement of pears is anticipated to stay strong--the Washington State Tree Fruit Association is showing 15 percent more shipments through 9/25 than last year and Anjou shipments are up 90 percent over last year.
“We have promotional volume and are able to quench cravings after shorter apple and pear crops last year. We are on full throttle with pear movement and it’s the right time to plan for Thanksgiving and Christmas pear ads,” says Gipe-Stewart, adding it has a full manifest of organic and conventional Anjou, Bosc, Bartlett, Starkrimson and Asian Pears. “In the coming weeks, we will begin packing organic and conventional Comice, and Concorde in time for Thanksgiving and holiday ads.” The grower-shipper will also have 12 months of pear volume with Anjou stretching through summer up until organic Bartlett harvest again in the summer of 2024.
For more information:
Catherine Gipe-Stewart
Superfresh Growers
Tel: +1 (509) 966-1814
[email protected]
www.superfreshgrowers.com