By Malinda Geisler, content specialist, Ag Marketing Resource Center, Iowa State University.

Profile revised May 2008.


Overview
Commercial pear production is concentrated in the Northwest United States. Washington State grows nearly half of the nation’s total pear production. Total U.S. production in 2007 was 880,950 tons, valued at $346 million.

Three basic types of pears are grown in the United States. The European or French pears include popular varieties such as Bartlett, Bosc and D’Anjou. Asian pears are also known as “apple-pears” because of their apple-like texture. Oriental hybrid varieties range from gritty in texture to dessert quality.

U.S. per capita consumption of fresh pears was 2.9 pounds in 2005. Per capita consumption of all pear products was 5.2 pounds. About 60 percent of the U.S. pear crop is sold as fresh and 40 percent is processed, primarily in the form of canned product.

The United States is a net exporter of pears. Mexico and Canada are the two largest markets for U.S. pears. The United States exported 144,363 metric tons of fresh pears valued at $145 million in 2007.

The United States imported 107, 695 metric tons of fresh pears in 2007 valued at $125 million. About half of the imported pears originated from Argentina.

Sources

• Fresh-Market Pears, Fruit and Tree Nuts Outlook, ERS, USDA, 2004.
• Fruits and Tree Nuts, Briefing Room, ERS, USDA.
• Pears: World Markets and Trade, Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA, 2008 - This link provides domestic pear production and trade figures.

Other Links

• Apples and Pears, Midwest Tree Fruit Pest Management Handbook, University of Kentucky.
• California Commodity Profile: Pears, Agricultural Issues Center, University of California, 2002.
• Enterprise Budget, High-Density Pears, Oregon State University, revised 2003 - This enterprise budget provides estimates of typical costs related to high-density pear production in North Central Oregon.
• Establishing Pears: Current Costs and Return Studies, University of California-Davis - Select “pears” in the commodity box. This site has estimated costs for establishing pears and specialty pears in California.
• European Pears, University of California-Davis - This site links to other pear Web sites.
• Gorge Delights Marketing New Fruit Products, Good Fruit Grower magazine, 2003 - Oregon company turns lower-grade pears into fruit bars.
• Gorge Delights - Adding Value to Pears, Ag Marketing Resource Center, 2004 - Profile of the company that processes fruit into fresh-cut slices and is making pear nutrition bars.
• Michigan Pears, Michigan State University - This Web site provides links to other resources.
• Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts, National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.
• Pearing Up Healthy with Handy, Cooperative Partners Online, 2001 - This story profiles how an Oregon family is adding value to a whole-pear market.
• Pear Bureau Northwest - This nonprofit marketing organization was established in 1931 to promote fresh pears grown in Oregon and Washington. Pears are distributed under the USA Pears logo.
• PlantFacts, Ohio State University - This Web site provides a full-text search engine of all extension and academic department information from all land-grant universities in the United States. Additionally, there are significant image and video databases, a FAQ database and a glossary.
• Organic Pear Production, Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA), 2003 -This online guide provides information on pests, Asian pears and marketing related to organic production.
• Rasmussen Farms is located in Oregon’s Hood River Valley. Established in 1945, the farm raises several fruits and vegetables, including pears, and flowers. The operation hosts several seasonal events and sells products from its farm store and online. The farm sponsors a Pear Party one weekend in September. The party features 18 kinds of pears, along with pear desserts and products.
• Umpqua Organic Farm, LLC, Roseburg, Oregon - This 30-acre farm along the Umpqua River specializes in organic Asian pears that are marketed from the farm’s Web site.
• Virginia Gold Orchard, Natural Bridge, Virginia - Paul and YoungSuk Estabrook grow and market certified organic Asian pears on their orchard, which was established in 1990. Together with their two children, they manage 4,000 trees from 16 different varieties. Pears are sold directly from the orchard. Online orders are taken for 10-pound gift boxes.

Links checked February 2008.