Del Monte Foods has closed its Yakima, Washington, warehouses and processing plant as of August, ending operations at the site and leaving many employees without work. The facility had been a buyer of local pears for canning, and its closure has created challenges for growers in the region.
The Yakima plant specialized in canning pears for consumer markets. However, demand for canned pears decreased following the pandemic, leading to reduced processing volumes and the eventual shutdown.
Local pear farmers, who maintained normal production levels, now face an oversupply as a result of the loss of a major outlet. According to industry reports, there are also concerns that apple growers may experience similar impacts.
Action News reported that it is investigating the consequences of the closure for pear growers, canned pear distributors, and the broader fruit industry, and has requested comments from grower organizations.
Source: KIMA
