A recent hail storm is expected to reduce overall pear volume for Stemilt Growers Inc., located in Wenatchee, WA. “We have experienced a hail event in the state that will reduce the crop in some orchards,” Director of Marketing Roger Pepperl told The Produce News July 26. “Stemilt fared pretty well. But we all will lose some crop due to the hail.”

The company’s pear manifest is extensive. “Stemilt has the full gamut. We start with Tosca, a pear from Italy [for which] we have the majority of the crop in the United States,” Mr. Pepperl said. “It is a great pear with a blemish-free skin. It is a flavorful summer pear. We then start Bartletts, Red Crimsons, Bosc, Anjou, Red Anjou, Seckel, Concord, Comice and Asian pears.”

He expects good quality and sizing for Bartletts, which he said, “have enjoyed the heat of late. We expect a good-looking pear and average timing.” Last year saw a heavy bloom set for Bosc, an alternate-bearing variety. “This season will set a lighter crop. This was to be expected,” he went on to say.

Stemilt’s pear acreage has remained stable over the past years. “There have been some new high-density plantings but nothing major,” Mr. Pepperl stated, adding that replants comprise the largest number of new trees in orchards.

The Tosca harvest will ramp up in mid-August, with Bartletts and Red Crimson following later that month. “Then the rest follow in mid- to late September,” Mr. Pepperl commented.

Stemilt plans to market approximately 2 million cartons of fresh pears this season. “The Bartlett crop will be down about 5 percent in size and the Anjou crop will be reduced by 15 percent roughly,” he said of the comparison with last year’s crop. These two varieties comprise the majority of Stemilt’s pear production.

Organic pears account for approximately 15 percent of volume. “We continue to be a leader in organic pears,” Mr. Pepperl stated. Anjou, Bartlett and Bosc are the leading organic varieties marketed by the company.

Looking at the overall pear crop, Mr. Pepperl went on to say quality and sizing will both be good. “We will have plenty of bag stock for five-pound bag options with larger pears this season,” he added. “Export will continue to be a big thing at Stemilt. Pears are a great export item with big demand.”

Stemilt is stressing its message about the benefits of pear consumption. “We have a new Lil Snapper Bartlett pear program this year,” Mr. Pepperl stated. “We are extremely excited about this mom- and kid-friendly program. It really performed last year on Anjou and apples. So we have been planning this Bartlett launch for several months now. It markets fruit to kids at the store and also continues to market at home in the refrigerator through the kid-friendly graphics and the easy-to-close zipper.” According to Mr. Pepperl, a QR code on packaging provides mothers with information about the pears and their nutritional value. A coloring sheet that is printer-friendly is also available for children.

On other fronts, Mr. Pepperl said, “We will continue to have a pear promo bin to promote Pear A Ramas, which has been our major marketing call-out at Stemilt. Retailers who use our bins and do a monthly Pear A Rama are showing 15- to 20-percent increases in sales.”

Stemilt is also promoting its RipeRite program with retailers. “Our new ripening rooms continue to deliver a great eating experience and build 15-percent increases in Anjou sales as well as propelling the early Bartlett sales by providing a better eating experience,” he stated.