As the harvest progresses across Washington and Oregon, Pear Bureau Northwest (PBNW) has released its first estimate for the 2024-25 fresh pear crop. This year’s production is projected to reach 10.6 million standard box equivalents, marking a significant decrease of 31% from the five-year average. The lower yield reflects the ongoing challenges faced by growers in the region.
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association projected on Wednesday that this year’s U.S. pear crop will be the smallest in 40 years, according to the Tri-City Herald. The Wenatchee growing region was reported to be the most severely affected.
The most dramatic drop is in Bosc pears, which are down 62% compared to last year. Green Anjou pears have also been significantly impacted, with a reduction of 36% from their five-year average. These declines are largely attributed to the cumulative effects of severe freezes over the past few years…