Pear supplies out of the Pacific Northwest are slowing down as growers and shippers head into the summer fruit season. At Sage Fruit, Kaci Komstadius says it still has steady supplies of Red and Green D’Anjous to get through the spring and summer months. While the pear harvest finished in October 2022, its controlled-atmosphere storage helps the company be able to supply pears throughout much of the year. “Given the smaller crop size this past year, we will likely see our domestic pear supply finish up in early summer,” says Komstadius.
Left: Green D'Anjou pear; right: Bosc pear
Overall, the 2022-2023 crop was a bit lighter in volume than the 2021-2022 season. “During the 2022 growing season, a cold spring and late winter storm had an adverse effect on bloom,” says Komstadius, noting its pears are harvested in several PNW regions including the Yakima Valley, Mid-Columbia and up through Wenatchee with two dedicated pear packing lines. (One in Yakima and the other in Chelan.) “The result was a smaller crop set than last season.”
Domestic vs. imports
Along with Pacific Northwest supplies, there will also be availability of Southern Hemisphere pears on the market. Sage Fruit isn’t planning on bringing any into its warehouse this year.
“Next season, we will continue to expand our pre-conditioning pear program to meet the needs of our retail partners and consumers,” says Kaci Komstadius.
As for pear consumption, it remains steady and both pricing and demand are strong overall and should stay that way for the rest of the season.
Looking ahead to the 2023 crop, Sage Fruit’s pear regions will begin bloom within the next week, with harvest set for mid-August through October. The company offers 40lb and 27lb bulk options, poly and pouch bagged product and has high-graphic pear pop-up bins available for in-store display. Sage Fruit has installed a state-of-the-art pear conditioning room. “Next season, we will continue to expand our pre-conditioning pear program to meet the needs of our retail partners and consumers,” says Komstadius.
For more information:
Kaci Komstadius
Sage Fruit Co.
Tel : +1 (509) 494-1968
kkomstadius@SageFruit.com
https://www.sagefruit.com/