American Pear Crop Shrinking

WASHINGTON - Aug 12/14 SNS -- United States pear production for 2014 is forecast at 799,100 tons, down 9% from last year, according to the USDA's latest crop production forecast.

Bartlett pear production for California, Oregon, and Washington is forecast at 371,000 tons, 11% below a year ago. Other pear production in the Pacific Coast States is forecast at 417,000 tons, 9% below last year. Overall, the production decrease is mostly driven by fewer bearing acres in Washington and the other western States.

In California, harvest began in the Sacramento-San Joaquin region the first week of July, about the same time as a year ago. Generally fair weather has been experienced for harvesting and fruit quality was reported to be mostly fair to good. Sizing was reported to be good for early season pears.

Across most areas of the Pacific Northwest growing regions, the crop looked to be of excellent quality. Harvest began a few days earlier than last season, beginning in late-July for the Bartlett pear varieties. Other Pear varieties, like Anjou, Red Anjou, and Bosc, will be picked from late-August through mid-October. Growers did not report any significant weather related issues and fruit size was expected to meet demand for both domestic and export markets.

Pear Production by Crop - States and United States: 2013 and Forecasted
August 1, 2014
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :                     Total production
   Crop and State   :-----------------------------------------------------------
                    :            2013             :            2014
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :                           tons
                    :
Bartlett            :
California .........:           177,000                       155,000
Oregon .............:            55,000                        56,000
Washington .........:           185,000                       160,000
                    :
United States ......:           417,000                       371,000
                    :
Other               :
California .........:            43,000                        38,000
Oregon .............:           152,000                       154,000
Washington .........:           249,000                       225,000
                    :
United States ......:           444,000                       417,000
                    :
All                 :
California .........:           220,000                       193,000
Michigan ...........:             5,350                         2,500
New York ...........:             9,200                         4,900
Oregon .............:           207,000                       210,000
Pennsylvania .......:             1,580                         3,700
Washington .........:           434,000                       385,000
                    :
United States ......:           877,130                       799,100
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------