The American Northwest is a place where little farms are still carving out space among the snow-capped mountains. Pears have been grown among the rolling orchards and foggy valleys for generations, tended by the same families with the same hard work and commitment to producing the best fresh produce.

Near a little red barn nestled among the 100 acres of fruit trees in Hood River, Oregon, live Jon and Debra Laraway. Jon comes from a pear-growing family, four generations of them. He never wanted to do anything else and Debra was right there with him. “I couldn’t wait to move to Hood River and live on a farm,” says Debra. “I said to Jon, ‘sign me up!’”

Today, Debra works with the pickers, runs supplies and water, and examines fruit quality in the bins. Jon handles bookkeeping and recordkeeping, plus field work,including the occasional late-night runs to turn on the frost fans.

The region’s temperate climate of warm days and cool nights, combined with its rich, volcanic ash soil fed by mountain streams and coastal air, is a perfect recipe for the Bartlett, Green Anjou, Red Anjou and Bosc pears they feel so lucky to grow andshare with you today.

Laraways’ Favorite Snack? Dried pears, of course!

How do the Laraways enjoy their pears? They DEHYDRATE them! Dehydrated fruit is perfect for on-the-go snacking and is super simple to make, too. Click here for the recipe.

See more grower profiles!

The post Grower Profile: Jon and Debra Laraway appeared first on USA Pears.

Slight drop in crop expected from Washington and Oregon in 2016

PORTLAND, Ore. (June 8, 2016) – 2016 Northwest Fresh Pear Crop Estimate. Northwest pear growers are releasing fresh pear harvest projections following their annual meetings in Portland last week. Collectively, Washington’s Wenatchee and Yakima regions and Oregon’s Mid-Columbia and Medford regions estimate a fresh pear harvest of 18.7 million standard box equivalents, or 414,000 tons of fresh pears. These figures are up 2% from 2015 final harvest figures, but represent a 7% decrease from the five-year average.

Warm spring weather and good pollination led to a full bloom, with no significant weather events to hurt the fruit finish. “Growers are reporting beautiful, clean fruit that is filling out nicely in terms of fruit size,” stated Kevin Moffitt, president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest (PBNW). Harvest is expected slightly earlier than historical average, but similar to the last two years, with Starkrimson expected in the last days of July, Bartlett in the first days of August, and Anjou, Bosc, and Comice in the last two weeks of August, across the four growing regions. Concorde, Forelle, and Seckel will be picked from late August through September.

The top three varieties produced by Northwest growers remain the same as in previous years: Green Anjou pears are anticipated to make up 50% of the total 2016 crop, and Bartlett and Bosc pears are expected to yield 23% and 17%, respectively.

Green Anjou pears are showing a projected crop decrease of 3% compared with 2015, and a 13% drop compared to the five-year average. Growers estimate that the Bartlett pear crop yield will increase by 9% compared with last season’s results, matching the five-year average.  The Bosc pear crop increase is expected to be 4% over the 2015 harvest, 3% higher than the five-year average.  The size of the Red Anjou pear crop is expected to be 3% higher than last year, but down by 3% compared to the five-year average.

Harvest of certified organic pears in the Northwest is projected to make up about 6% of the crop, with 1,103,600  standard boxes (24,279 tons) for 2016, up  14% compared with 2015. The organic Green Anjou crop is expected to be 430,000 standard boxes, while the Green Bartlett and Bosc crop sizes are estimated at 310,000 and 235,000 standard boxes respectively.

“The industry expects a crop of excellent quality fruit with ample supplies for both the domestic and export markets,” says Moffitt. “The Pear Bureau will help keep demand for pears high worldwide through marketing communications, educational and promotional programs, and consumer sampling at retail and at events, maximizing profits for growers.”

At the beginning of each season, PBNW staff provides domestic and Canadian retail buyers with customized category analysis showing their pear category performance compared to their competition. The analysis identifies opportunity gaps and the pear team suggests best practices and promotions to improve pears sales and profits for retailers.

Throughout the season the PBNW team is a resource for retailers, sharing cutting-edge consumer and trade research results and trade best practice techniques on the Trade.usapears.org website. The new trade focused site is rich with tools to support pear category sales as well as a section to train produce personnel on handling and merchandising of fresh pears.

With US and Canadian consumers, PBNW will work to increase pear consumption through a multi-year, snack-focused campaign, promoting pears as pairable, packable, and nutritious. Messaging will be delivered through consumer magazine and digital advertising, teaching people how to know when a pear is ripe and sweet. Each month, PBNW’s marketing team will target consumers at usapears.org, on social media, through digital communications and more, including creating fun new recipes and sharing information about the 10 varieties of Northwest pears. Currently entering into the fifth year of a nutrition research and communication plan, PBNW promotes the nutritional benefits of pears through educators and nutritionists, who share content with their consumer networks. The pear industry academic investment in nutrition research will continue to provide novel results to share with the media and nutritionists.

Exports remain a vital part of the success of the industry and typically account for around 40% of the total sales in a given season (including Canada), according to Global Trade Atlas. Export activities for PBNW are spread across nearly 30 countries worldwide, supporting a diverse portfolio of markets for greater grower returns. The program targets both consumers and trade with the goal to increase awareness on ripening, varieties, nutrition, and usage to build demand. Activities in top markets – including Mexico and Central America, India, Middle East and SE Asia – will include in-store sampling, Northwest pear nutrition workshops, consumer advertising, movie promotional tie-ins, social media, and event activations.  In the industry’s largest export market, Mexico, PBNW is using its retail pear category data to identify the opportunities for new varieties, size and grades of Northwest pears with major retailers.

A final initiative for the season will be an effort to PearUP! with industry partners, including commodity boards, industry experts, cross-store vendors, and food industry segments to expand the reach of Northwest pears across retail, digital communications, and events. Moffitt says, “Partnerships with wine and cheese brands and other ‘pear-able’ ingredients like packaged salads, nuts, and yogurt create buzz and excitement about Washington and Oregon pears. And teaming up with industry colleagues like The Produce Mom and Produce for Better Health expands our reach and support.”

The post 2016 NORTHWEST FRESH PEAR CROP ESTIMATE appeared first on USA Pears.

PEAR BUREAU NORTHWEST NAMES INGLES PEAR RETAILER OF THE YEAR

Ingles receives recognition for pear merchandising strategies that led to 86% sales increase

Portland, Ore.  (October 2, 2013) – Pear Bureau Northwest, the nonprofit marketing organization that represents the 1,600 fresh pear growers of Oregon and Washington, has named Ingles as the 2013 Pear Retailer of the Year for its outstanding pear merchandising program.

Ingles is being recognized with this award due to their successful implementation of pear merchandising tactics that resulted in an 86% increase in pear sales over the past year.  By implementing proven pear merchandising strategies, Ingles has taken advantage of the profit opportunity that pears have to offer.

According to Kevin D. Moffitt, president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest, Ingles achieved this outstanding level of success in the category by implementing several innovative pear merchandising tactics.  “Offering ripe pears on display was one of the top tactics that Ingles used to see pear sales at this level.  They also maintain multi-variety pear displays positioned at the front of the produce department as well as secondary displays to increase visibility for this high impulse purchase fruit.  In addition, this season they introduced bagged pears to attract value shoppers,” said Moffitt.  He also noted that Ingles is one of the industry leaders in engaging and educating shoppers in stores and online with the expertise of their supermarket dietitian, Leah McGrath, RD. “Ingles has demonstrated how good pear merchandising increases sales, and in their case that meant an impressive 86% sales increase compared to the previous year.”

Jim Ray, Vice President of Produce Operations at Ingles, accepted this award on behalf of the company.  “We are honored to receive this award, and look forward to continued success in the pear category.”

The Pear Retailer of the Year Award was established by Pear Bureau Northwest in 2011.  Past honorees were Demoula’s Market Basket (2011) and Meijer (2012).  The Pear Bureau’s team of regional marketing managers selects the annual recipient based on sales performance, creativity in pear merchandising, and overall excellence in supporting the pear category.  Honorable Mentions for 2013 are TOPS Markets, The United Family, and Roundy’s.

Pear Bureau Northwest partners with grocery retailers nationwide in an effort to increase overall success with the pear category.  The organization provides marketing and merchandising expertise that is customized specifically for each retail organization, using its pear consumer research findings as well as individual store analysis using an in-house data system that measures pear category performance nationwide.  Retailers who are interested in partnering with Pear Bureau Northwest should contact them at profits@usapears.com or 1 (800) 547-4610.

About Pear Bureau Northwest

Pear Bureau Northwest is a non-profit marketing organization established in 1931 to promote the fresh USA Pears grown in Washington and Oregon, home to 84% of the US fresh pear crop.  The Bureau represents 1,600 growers and develops national and international markets for Northwest pear distribution.  For more information, visit www.usapears.org.

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Media Contact: Cristie Mather, Director of Communications, Pear Bureau Northwest

cmather@usapears.com

(503) 652-9720

The post Ingles Named 2013 Pear Retailer of the Year appeared first on USA Pears.

ESTIMATE FOR 2013 NORTHWEST PEAR CROP RELEASED

Northwest pear growers forecast a full-size crop from Washington and Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore. (June 5, 2013) – Representatives of the Northwest pear industry met last week in Portland to project the size of the 2013 fresh pear harvest. With reports of a crop of excellent quality from the Pacific Northwest growing regions of Wenatchee and Yakima, Washington and Mid-Columbia and Medford in Oregon, the total projection is showing approximately 19.8 million standard 44-lb box equivalents (or 436,410 tons) of pears for the fresh market.  This estimate is 4% larger than the five-year average, and 2% larger than last year’s crop, which would make the forthcoming crop the third largest on record.

Average harvest timing is expected, beginning in early August with the Starkrimson variety being picked first followed by Bartletts.  Winter pear varieties such as the Anjou, Bosc, Comice, Concorde, Forelle, and Seckel will be picked from early September through mid-October.  The quality of the fruit looks excellent, with no significant weather issues affecting the crop to date.

Green Anjou pears, the most abundantly grown variety in the Pacific Northwest, are showing a projected increase of 3% when compared to 2012, which makes for a Green Anjou crop size that is 2% larger than the five-year average. Bartlett pears are projected to decrease by 5% when compared to last season’s large crop, but the crop yield will still be 9% larger than the five-year average.  Growers are expecting the Bosc pear crop to increase by 7% over last year’s yield.  The size of the Red Anjou pear crop is expected to increase by 6%, which would make it 14% larger than the 5-year average crop size for that variety.  Growers are projecting the yield to double for other red winter pears, including varieties like the Red Angelo, for an increase of 104% when compared to the 2012 yield, a 76% increase over the 5-year average.

The top three varieties in terms of production remain the same as in previous years; Green Anjou pears are anticipated to make up 53% of the total 2012 crop, and Bartlett and Bosc pears are expected to yield 22% and 15% respectively.

In terms of organic pear production, projections show that the Pacific Northwest will continue its overall growth trend this season with a total of 869,885 standard 44-lb box equivalents (19,785 tons) of organic pears in the 2013 harvest, an increase of 3% when compared to 2012 and a 14% increase over the five-year average.  The Green Anjou and Bartlett remain the most abundant two organic pear varieties, with the Green Anjou projected yield at 381,500 organic standard 44-lb box equivalents, and the Green Bartlett estimated at 285,600 for 2013.

“This year’s crop looks to be of very manageable size,” said Pear Bureau Northwest’s president and CEO, Kevin Moffitt.  “With no major weather issues to date the industry is projecting a crop with excellent quality and fruit size to meet the demands of the domestic and export markets. A full range of promotions are planned as well as consumer advertising, social media and PR to continue to expand consumer awareness and demand.”

Key areas in this season’s domestic marketing program include consumer advertising designed to help raise awareness about pear ripening and usage, and a strong season-long retail push beginning with tactics to support the crop as soon as marketable volumes are available.  The Pear Bureau will continue to use its comprehensive, proprietary pear category data to custom-tailor merchandising and promotional plans for retailers nationwide.  An integrated PR and communications program supports retail promotions with ongoing activities emphasizing nutrition, recipe development for both consumers and foodservice, and by continuing to grow the online presence for USA Pears on www.usapears.org and among social media outlets.

The Pear Bureau will engage in export promotions in 38 countries worldwide, with eighteen international marketing representatives coordinating promotions for USA Pears with activities targeted for each country’s market.  The top export markets for USA Pears will remain Mexico, Canada, Russia, Brazil, Colombia, the UAE, Hong Kong, and India, which is one of the strongest growth markets for the industry.  Special promotions are planned for the Chinese market, which granted access to USA Pears for the very first time in February 2013 and is expected to become a top ten market for the Northwest pear industry within the next three years.  The Pear Bureau will also continue its partnership with Fox Pictures and Universal Pictures in conducting joint promotions in Mexico and Central America.  During these promotions, the Pear Bureau helps promote a kid-friendly movie like Despicable Me or Epic via billboards and in-store promotions.  In return, the Pear Bureau receives usage rights of the characters for the billboards, POS materials and bags.   In addition, season-long marketing programs will be customized for retailers in Mexico, using the Pear Bureau’s proprietary pear category data system which provides insight specific to the Mexican market.

About Pear Bureau Northwest

Pear Bureau Northwest is a non-profit marketing organization established in 1931 to promote the fresh USA Pears grown in Washington and Oregon, home to 84% of the US fresh pear crop.  The Bureau represents 1,600 growers and develops national and international markets for Northwest pear distribution.  For more information, visit www.usapears.org.

# # #

Media Contact:
Cristie Mather, Director of Communications, cmather@usapears.com
Pear Bureau Northwest
(503) 652-9720

The post Estimate for 2013 Northwest Pear Crop Released appeared first on USA Pears.