Pear Crop Expected To Be One Of The Smallest In Over 50 Years

Pear numbers have seesawed over the past couple of seasons.  So, what's the expectation for 2026?

"This year's forecast follows a historically small pear crop in 2024 and a bumper pear crop in 2025," said USDA economist Catharine Weber.  "If realized, this season would mark the third lowest U.S. pear volume since 1972, higher only than pear crops in 2022 and 2024."

Weber said with a pear crop of 650,000 tons.

"Production [is] expected to decline year over year in all three surveyed states, California Oregon, and Washington," she noted.  "Washington State, the largest pear-producing state, is forecast to produce 320,000 tons of pears this season, accounting for 49% of U.S. pear volume. Oregon is forecast at 210,000 tons, accounting for 32% of U.S. pear production."

Weber added this year's forecast reflects long-term downward trends, including reduced processing demand, specifically when it comes to canned pears, as well as a reduction in acreage.

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