Canadian pear enthusiasts will soon have a greater selection at their local markets now that Vineland’s licensed HW624 pear variety is ready to launch nationally.
Thanks to a new collaboration with Washington State-based Stemilt Growers LLC (Stemilt), the HW624 variety will soon be available to Canadian growers and consumers offering a new and exciting pear option that is firm with a sweet flavor and a sun-kissed rosy, yellow-green skin. The HW624 pear was bred by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) in Harrow, Ontario and transferred to Vineland’s multidisciplinary horticultural innovation and commercialization process in the last decade.
The HW624 pear, which will soon be available to Canadian growers, is firm with a sweet flavor and sun-kissed rosy, yellow-green skin.
“This variety transitioned from our on-farm selection process to our consumer branding and marketplace testing analysis and was quickly identified as a desirable pear choice by consumers and growers,” says Dr. Ian Potter, president and CEO, Vineland. “Finding the right collaborator was the next step in the commercialization pathway to bring HW624 from our farm to consumer tables. Our collaboration with Stemilt will allow for production and marketing of the variety right across Canada.”
“We’re excited to be part of innovation in the pear category with the fantastic HW624 cultivar,” says West Mathison, Stemilt president. “The Vineland team selected a pear with characteristics that make it grower and consumer-friendly so this will be a great benefit to Canadian growers. It has the qualities that will delight existing and new pear shoppers throughout the country.”
Amanda Moen (Vineland) and Patricia Bowlby (Semilt) will be present on the trade show floor at the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Conference on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, and Thursday, February 22, 2024, to discuss this collaboration.
For more information:
Amanda Moen
Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
amanda.moen@vinelandresearch.com
Diana Huson
Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
diana.huson@vinelandresearch.com
https://www.vinelandresearch.com/
Patricia Bowlby
Stemilt
patricia.bowlby@stemilt.com
https://www.stemilt.com/