Northwest Organic Pear Volume Up Dramatically

In their latest update on the 2018-19 Northwest pear crop, area growers have predicted that final numbers will produce the fourth largest crop in history and the largest organic pear crop by a substantial number.

Pear Bureau Northwest has estimated that the organic pear volume will come in at two million standard boxes, which would make up 10 percent of the total Northwest pear crop and represent a 75 percent increase over last year’s volume.  Newly transitioned orchards and a strong pear crop overall have contributed to the growth in organic pears, according to the organization.

Out of the entire organic crop, growers project more than 750,000 standard boxes of Green Anjou, with the Green Bartlett and Bosc crop sizes projected at just under 700,000 and 385,000 standard boxes, respectively. Other varieties will chip in about 200,000 cartons. 

For the 2017-18 Northwest pear season, about 1.2 million boxes of organic pears were sent to market. Organic pear volume has been steadily increasing for the past seven or eight years with the price also showing increases meaning healthy demand has outpaced the growing supply. In fact, supply jumped almost 50 percent in the past two years with the f.o.b. sales price remaining fairly steady. This year’s 800,000 carton increase could present a challenge of maintaining a high price. On the other hand, there could be a pent up demand waiting to be filled.

Kathy Stephenson, marketing communications manager of Pear Bureau Northwest, predicted a strong market for organic pears even though the volume is up substantially. In looking at other similar crops, including apples, she said the organic volume of the total output is often around the 15 percent mark. Even with this dramatic increase this season, organic pears from the Northwest will still only account for 10 percent of the crop. 

Kathy Stephenson, marketing communications manager for Pear Bureau Northwest

Far from being an oversupply, Stephenson said it should allow shippers to market organic pears until the season concludes in June of 2019.  “This year, by February/March organic pear supplies were depleted,” she said, adding that there should be promotable supplies of the 2018-19 “from last week (August 20) into June.”

After a two-year hiatus, Pear Bureau Northwest will be promoting the organic crop this year through various means, including specific point of sale material, merchandising retail calls, the development of customized promotions, and through social media interactions.  Because of a provision in the 2014 Farm Bill, organic production has been exempted from mandatory funding of some marketing order programs for the past couple of years. However, Stephenson said during this past year’s Pear Bureau annual meeting, about 80 percent of that production voluntarily opted back into the program for this season.

Pear suppliers are also excited, rather than apprehensive, about the big jump in pear volume. “Organic pears have been a shiny star,” said Catherine Gipe-Stewart of Domex Superfresh Growers, Yakima, WA. “We are excited about being able to support all of our customers who want our organic pears. As the largest organic pear company in the Northwest, we have been and will continue to be the industry leader on organic pears.”

Catherine Gipe-Stewart, communications manager for Domex Superfresh Growers

She said shipments of new crop organic pears began in late July and will continue throughout the season and beyond. “We are trending on par with the industry and expect to nearly double our organic volume in the next 10 years.”

Brianna Shales of Stemilt Growers, Wenatchee, CA, had a similar report.  “We’re harvesting summer pear varieties (Bartlett, Starkrimson) with Tosca pears already making their way to stores (conventionally and organically)."

Brianna Shales, communications manager for Stemilt Growers

She added  “Stemilt will see a 20 percent year-over-year increase in Artisan Organics pears, which is in line with a bigger pear crop this year than last year. We also expect better sizing on pears, including organics. Approximately 15 percent of our entire pear crop is organic.”

Andy Tudor of Rainier Fruit Company was a bit more cautious when discussing the current organic pear season.  “It’s going to be a challenge to handle this type of (volume) increase in one year,” he said. 

He said Rainier’s organic volume is up 60 percent on Bartlett, Anjou and Bosc pears, adding “It takes time to build programs. The big question is if there enough demand now to absorb it.”

Andy Tudor, VP of business development for Rainier Fruit Company

Tudor said on the plus side the fruit quality is excellent and the sizing looks good. He added that the increased popularity of two and three pound consumer pouch bags on the organic side will be vitally important in increasing sales by the requisite amount. He also noted that the increased volume should result in promotable pricing throughout the season.