Pear growers in California were picking the last of their fruit this week, as the state finishes up its harvest. Production is expected to be less than that from the previous season, as harvesting was ahead of schedule for most of the season.“Typically, we have fruit into November and December,” said Chris Zanobini, executive director of the California Pear Advisory Board. “This year, we'll be pretty much cleaned up sooner than that.” Last year's crop production reached 3.8 million, and it's expected this year's crop will be smaller than that, at 3.0 million boxes. Zanobini noted that a dip in production often follows a year with good yields, though a reduction in acreage is also responsible for less production this year.
“We did lose a significant piece of production with land that was sold and trees removed,” explained Zanobini. “About seven percent of the state's acreage was affected.” Current acreage is between 13,000 and 14,000 acres.
At the end of last week, prices for a carton of apple pears 12s were between $13.85 and $16.85, 14s ranged from $12.85 and $15.85, and 16s were between $12.85 and $14.85.
For more information:
Chris Zanobini
California Pear Advisory Board
+1 916 441 0432