export pears

Commercial pear production is concentrated in the Northwest United States. Washington State and Oregon together grow around 75 percent of the nation’s total pear production, followed by California. Total U.S. production in 2012 was 858,250 tons, down from the previous year, and was valued at $437.1 million, up from 2011.  (NASS 2013)

According to USDA's 2008 Organic Production Survey, the United States had 257 certified organic farms that produced 21,684 tons of pears. There were 255 farms with sales totaling $16 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 3.2 pounds in 2009. Per capita consumption of all pear products was about 7 pounds in 2010 (ERS). 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. In 2012 the country exported fresh pears valued at nearly $188.7 million. In addition, the United States exported organic fresh pears valued at nearly $20.6 million. The combined value of all fresh pears rose 17 percent from 2011. The largest market for fresh pears remained Mexico, followed by Canada, Brazil and Russia.  (FAS)

The United States also imported fresh pears in 2012 valued at more than $73.8 million, a 23 percent drop from 2011. The top sources for imported pears are Argentina and South Korea, followed by Chile.