Competition from the Northwest
While Scully’s pears are shipped from three major growing areas in California including the Sacramento River district and the preferred “Mountain” Districts of Mendocino County and Lake County, Scully’s main competitors reside in the Northwest U.S. “We often face offshore competition at the front end of the season from the southern hemisphere as well as pears from the northwest held in Controlled Atmosphere storage from the prior year,” Thiessen says. “Then the northwest begins their new crop anywhere from two weeks to a month after we get started.”
Boosting demand for pears
With consumption of pears appearing relatively stable, domestic retailers remain as the Bartlett’s major market. “Mexico and Canada make up the majority of the export market. However Central America, South America and Asia are also on our radar,” Thiessen notes, adding that encouraging increased consumption has proved tough. That said, with overall consumption of fresh produce being up, Scully remains optimistic.
Helping encourage that consumption boost may be some packaging options that Scully has introduced. “For example this season we will be offering traditional 40 LB and 36 LB bulk packs, returnable plastic containers, corrugated Euro cartons and a number of consumer packs such as 4 – 6 lb. cartons and pouch bags,” he says.
For more information:
David Thiessen
Scully Packing Company
+1 707 263 7327
sales@scullypacking.com