The Pear Bureau Northwest has released its 2014 season Northwest fresh pear crop estimate. “With reports of a crop of excellent quality from the Pacific Northwest growing regions of Wenatchee and Yakima, WA, and Mid-Columbia and Medford in Oregon, the total projection is showing approximately 18.7 million standard 44-pound box equivalents (or 411,400 tons) of pears for the fresh market,” the Pear Bureau said on June 5. “This estimate is 6 percent smaller than the five-year average, and 13 percent smaller than last year’s record crop.”

Growers will be meeting again in August, and there is an expectation that these preliminary numbers may be revised upward.

“The industry is looking forward to a great pear season, and the Pear Bureau team is ready to provide category analysis and data along with innovative merchandising ideas and materials to help retailers maximize their pear category sales,” President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Moffitt told The Produce News. “Growing conditions have been ideal for the pear crop this season. There have been no significant frost or hail issues to date, and pollination weather was good. The industry is expecting a promotable crop of excellent quality this year.”

The harvest will begin in late July with Starkrimson and Bartlett, the first two varieties off the trees. Anjou, Red Anjou, Bosc, Comice, Concorde, Forelle and Seckel will be picked from late August through mid-October.

According to bureau statistics, the top three varieties in terms of production remain the same as in previous years. Green Anjou pears are anticipated to make up 53 percent this season. Bartlett will comprise 23 percent of overall volume, and Bosc pears 14 percent.

“The Pacific Northwest continues to provide the ideal growing conditions to yield pears of excellent quality,” said Cristie Mather, director of communications. “We are expecting a wide range of sizes for distribution to domestic and export markets. But right now it is too soon to predict what the peak sizes will be.”

The total Northwest summer/fall pear volume is anticipated to be approximately 4.6 million boxes, down 12 percent from 2013. A breakdown by variety, approximate volume and decrease from 2013 revealed the following: Green Bartlett/4.2 million boxes, down 12 percent; Red Bartlett and other summer-fall pears/94,800 boxes, down 4 percent; and Starkrimson/ 289,000 boxes, down 14 percent.

The total Northwest winter pear volume is anticipated to be approximately 14 million boxes, down 14 percent from 2013. A breakdown by variety, approximate volume and increase/decrease from 2013 is as follows: Anjou/10 million boxes, down 14 percent; Bosc/2.6 million boxes, down 17 percent; Red Anjou/1 million boxes, down 8 percent; Comice/224,000 boxes, down 18 percent; Seckel/42,600 boxes, down 7 percent; Concorde/62,800 boxes, up 1 percent; other red winter pears/8,000 boxes, down 52 percent; and other winter pear varieties/10,600 boxes, down 18 percent.

Organic fresh pear volumes are included in the above estimates. Total organic pear production for summer-fall pear volume is 365,575 boxes. A total of 505,200 boxes of winter pears are expected to be produced. According to the report, the following volumes of organic fruit are expected to be produced this season: Green Bartlett/311,150 boxes; Red Bartlett and other summer-fall pears/37,600 boxes; Starkrimson/16,825 boxes; Anjou/254,000 boxes; Bosc/198,000 boxes; Comice/1,780 boxes; Red Anjou/41,000 boxes; Concorde/10,120 boxes; and Seckel/300 boxes.