Summer pear production rose from 2011's total of 4.2 million boxes to 4.4 million boxes in 2012. Though Red Bartlett production was 16 percent less than the five-year average for the area, the totals for Green Bartletts and Starkrimson pears were more than their respective five-year averages. The boost from Summer varieties, however, wasn't enough to buoy the region's overall pear numbers for 2012.
Total Winter pear production for the Pacific Northwest reached 14.9 million boxes in 2012. That's down from 2011's total of 16.3 million boxes, though 2012's production was still higher than the region's five-year average of 14.7 million boxes. Anjou and Bosc pears, the most prevalent Winter varieties, were less numerous in 2012, and that contributed to the overall decline in production when compared to the 2011 season. Total production for 2012 was 19.3 million boxes, which was down from the previous season's total of 20.6 million boxes.