A Bountiful Year for Fresh Pears

Harvest season is underway with yields 60% above last year

MILWAUKIE, Ore., Aug. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pear orchards in the Pacific Northwest are a hum of activity, as the 2025 harvest is officially underway. A relatively mild winter and favorable overall growing conditions have contributed to what USA Pears anticipates will be a bountiful crop, with yields exceeding last year's harvest by an estimated 60%. While a robust supply is celebrated, the recent closure of the industry's largest canner created anxiety related to market stability. Fortunately, a rapid response and relief effort from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for up to $20 million for Northwest Bartlett pear growers, in the form of a Section 32 purchase, is setting the stage for 2025 to be great year for USA Pears.

"Our growers in Washington and Oregon are excited about the quality and quantity of this year's crop, and their enthusiasm is contagious as they bring more than 10 varieties and an abundant volume of fruit to market well into 2026," says CarrieAnn Arias, president and CEO of USA Pears. "Additionally, the USDA's Section 32 buy of Bartlett pears will enable food banks and school nutrition programs to gain access to the nutritious fruit. Along with a bountiful supply, USA Pears is introducing a refreshed brand image with a new logo and consumer insights. The team is gearing up to implement innovative strategies to catapult consumption and make pears the go-to fresh fruit snack Americans crave."

USA Pears has a rich legacy representing more than 700 grower families and partners in Washington and Oregon, who together produce approximately 88% of all fresh pears grown in the U.S. Arias, who stepped into her role a year ago, is focused on honoring that legacy while bringing fresh energy around a familiar food.

"Pears are a wholesome addition to a nutritious eating plan, and they're already known as a fiber powerhouse," states Arias. "But there's much more to pears, and our newest member of the team, a registered dietitian nutritionist, Barbara Ruhs, will be instrumental in elevating the health and wellness profile of pears with U.S. consumers." Ruhs, MS, RDN, joined USA Pears this August as the organization's director of nutrition affairs and communications, and her expertise and ability to blend science with storytelling proved beneficial for the avocado industry in transforming the perception of "good fats," which has helped fuel skyrocketing consumption patterns over the past decade.

According to Ruhs, "The timing is ripe for pears to take center stage — fiber is gaining nutrition stardom and pears are an excellent source, with a medium pear providing 20% of the daily recommended value." Fiber, Ruhs notes, has been overshadowed by protein, but fiber is trending now. As awareness of fiber increases and taste preferences shift away from processed foods, consumers are increasingly turning to fresh fruit. She adds, "Pears add texture to smoothies and are an elegant pairing on charcuterie boards, and chefs know that the flavor profile of pears levels up any menu."

The pear harvest continues through fall, and proper storage of the fruit means that varieties will be in store nearly year-round. Unlike many other fruits, pears don't ripen on the tree. Rather, they reach maturity and full flavor when kept at room temperature. Checking the ripeness of a pear is easy and involves just a quick squeeze near the stem; if there's a little give, the pear is ripe and ready to eat. More tips about ripening, as well as recipes and nutritional information, can be found at www.usapears.org.

About Pear Bureau Northwest

Pear Bureau Northwest, dba USA Pears, is a nonprofit marketing organization established in 1931 to promote the fresh pears grown in Washington and Oregon, home to 88% of the U.S. commercial fresh pear crop. The bureau represents over 700 grower families and partners with outlets throughout the world 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 and third-party research to show retailers how they perform versus their competition.

Media Contact: 
Rhea Bermel
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SOURCE USA Pears