Pear Harvest Pegged at 908,040 Tons

WASHINGTON - Aug 12/04 - SNS -- U.S. pear production for 2004 is forecast at 908,040 tons, down 2% from last year but 2% above 2002, according to the USDA's latest crop estimates.

Bartlett pear production for California, Oregon, and Washington is forecast at 457,000 tons, 1% above the June forecast but virtually unchanged from a year ago. Other pear production in the Pacific Coast States is expected to total 424,000 tons, 4% below last year but virtually unchanged from 2002.

Bartlett production for California is forecast at 230,000 tons, up 7% from the June forecast and 6% above 2003. Harvesting of Bartlett pears in abundant quantities continues in the Central Valley, with the transition to the Lake-Mendocino district currently underway. Harvest began early this season as the crop matured quickly under ideal weather conditions.

Production in Oregon is forecast at 57,000 tons, down 8% from the previous forecast but 6% above 2003. Summer harvest of the pear crop began in the lower Hood River Valley and in southern Oregon. Pears in the Willamette Valley continue to size. Weather conditions have been good to excellent except for a passing hail storm which caused some light bruising in the affected growing areas.

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