Pear harvest under way, yields 60 percent above last year
Pear harvest under way, yields 60 percent above last year
Pear orchards in the Pacific Northwest are a hum of activity, as the 2025 harvest is officially under way. A relatively mild winter and favorable overall growing conditions have contributed to what USA Pears anticipates will be a bountiful crop, with yields exceeding last year's harvest by an estimated 60 percent. 
While a robust supply is celebrated, the recent closure of the industry's largest canner created anxiety related to market stability. Fortunately, a rapid response and relief effort from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for up to $20 million for Northwest Bartlett pear growers, in the form of a Section 32 purchase, is setting the stage for 2025 to be great year for USA Pears.
"Our growers in Washington and Oregon are excited about the quality and quantity of this year's crop, and their enthusiasm is contagious as they bring more than 10 varieties and an abundant volume of fruit to market well into 2026," said CarrieAnn Arias, president and CEO of USA Pears. "Additionally, the USDA's Section 32 buy of Bartlett pears will enable food banks and school nutrition programs to gain access to the nutritious fruit. Along with a bountiful supply, USA Pears is introducing a refreshed brand image with a new logo and consumer insights. The team is gearing up to implement innovative strategies to catapult consumption and make pears the go-to fresh fruit snack Americans crave."
USA Pears has a rich legacy representing more than 700 grower families and partners in Washington and Oregon, who together produce approximately 88 percent of all fresh pears grown in the U.S. Arias, who stepped into her role a year ago, is focused on honoring that legacy while bringing fresh energy around a familiar food.
"Pears are a wholesome addition to a nutritious eating plan, and they're already known as a fiber powerhouse," said Arias. "But there's much more to pears, and our newest member of the team, a registered dietitian nutritionist, Barbara Ruhs, will be instrumental in elevating the health and wellness profile of pears with U.S. consumers."
Ruhs joined USA Pears this August as the organization's director of nutrition affairs and communications, and her expertise and ability to blend science with storytelling proved beneficial for the avocado industry in transforming the perception of "good fats," which has helped fuel skyrocketing consumption patterns over the past decade.
According to Ruhs, "The timing is ripe for pears to take center stage — fiber is gaining nutrition stardom and pears are an excellent source, with a medium pear providing 20 percent of the daily recommended value." Fiber, Ruhs noted, has been overshadowed by protein, but fiber is trending now. As awareness of fiber increases and taste preferences shift away from processed foods, consumers are increasingly turning to fresh fruit. "Pears add texture to smoothies and are an elegant pairing on charcuterie boards, and chefs know that the flavor profile of pears levels up any menu," she said.
The pear harvest continues through fall, and proper storage of the fruit means that varieties will be in store nearly year-round. Unlike many other fruits, pears don't ripen on the tree. Rather, they reach maturity and full flavor when kept at room temperature.
