Pear Harvest Little Changed

WASHINGTON - Aug 11/23 - SNS -- United States pear total production for 2023 is forecast at 645,000 tons, up slightly from last year, according to the USDA.

In Washington and Oregon, the two largest pear producing States, the bloom season was delayed by cold weather. Then, the warm weather occurred rapidly, causing trees to bloom all at once. The usual pattern is the warmer areas will bloom first. Weeks later, higher- elevation and cooler areas will bloom. The 2023 crop saw this pattern disrupted. Further, warm weather, open blossoms, and rain, caused growers to become concerned about fire blight, which is a disease that is caused by bacteria infection. Overall, harvest is expected to be delayed this year with the prospect of having an average crop.

In California, despite the concern by some producers about phytophthora, also known as water molds, production is expected to be the highest since 2017. The excess moisture seemed to have had a positive impact on this year's crop.

Pear Production - States and United States: 2022 and Forecasted August 1, 2023
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :                     Total production
        State       :-----------------------------------------------------------
                    :            2022             :            2023
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :                           tons
                    :
California .........:           160,500                       165,000
Oregon .............:           198,500                       190,000
Washington .........:           285,000                       290,000
                    :
United States ......:           644,000                       645,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------