- U.S. pear production has declined over time, with 27% reduction in acres and 3% reduction in tons from 1980 to 2007. However, production per acre has increased 25% over this time period. - Washington state accounts for 50% of U.S. pear production, followed by California at 27% and Oregon at 23%. - Imports of canned and fresh pears have increased substantially in recent years, with Chinese canned pear exports rising 214% in the last five years. This has impacted the U.S. canned pear market. - Future profitability for the U.S. pear industry relies on efficient production, innovative new products, effective marketing, and development of new pear varieties.

1. Trends in U.S. Pear Production Chris Zanobini California Pear Advisory Board Sacramento, California [email_address] m Rachel B. Elkins University of California Cooperative Extension, Lakeport, California [email_address] Presented at Great Lakes Expo December 8, 2009

5. Bearing Acreage Source: USDA, Economic Research Service 1,000 Acres 2% 20% 9% 40% 20% 11%

6. US Pear Production by State 1998-2008 Source: USDA, Economic Research Service 1,000 Tons 3% 25% 20% 10% 60% 43%

7. U.S. Pear Crop Utilization 1,000 Tons Source: USDA, Economic Research Service Fresh pear market has increased 60% Processed pear market has decreased 42%, down 33% in the last 10 years alone! More people are buying fresh pears, fewer are buying canned!

8. Per Capita Consumption People are eating fewer pears! Source: USDA, Economic Research Service There has been a 22% decrease in total pear consumption, especially canned pears! USA Pounds

10. Total US Bartlett (Williams) Production 2003-2008 Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA There has been a 16% decrease in production in the last 10 years. 0 587 448 423 100 1,000 Tons 200 300 400 500 600 700 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

11. Anjou Pear Production Source: Final Crop Reports, Winter Pear Control Committee There was a 165% increase in Anjou pear production from 1971 to 1995! Million Boxes

12. Bartlett (Williams) Utilization by Market Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA There has been a 28% increase in demand for fresh Bartlett pears. There has been a 30% decline in the demand for processed Bartlett pears. 1,000 Tons

13. Canned Pear Trends (million cases) Source: Chris Zanobini, California Pear Advisory Board

14. Source: Chris Zanobini, California Pear Advisory Board U.S. Production by Variety *Reds Include: Red Clapp, Rubaiyat, Red Angelo, Red Comice, Regal Red, Crimson Gem, Red Silk, Red Satin, California, Cascade **Other includes: Packham, Forelle, Nelis, Taylor's Gold, Concorde

15. U.S. Imported Pears Source: USDA, Economic Research Service 1,000 Tons 67% 34% 1.6m% 970% 47% 78%

16. Imported Pear Utilization (Percent of Domestic Market) Source: USDA, Economic Research Service

18. Bartlett (Williams) Pear

20. “ Cheap imported pears from China and Thailand are taking an increasing bite out of the market for canned pears in the United States.”

22. Bartlett (Williams) Pear

23. U.S. Pear Exports Source: USDA, Economic Research Service 1,000 Tons

24. Change in Top Export Markets 59% 56% 7% 65% 32% 49% 45% 966% 86% 28% 34% 46.5% 4.7% 10% 6.6% 55% 34% 135% 10yr avg Source: USDA, Economic Research Service Taiwan Canada Venezuela Russia Others Mexico 1997-2007 2002-2007 1997-2002 5yr avg 5yr avg

25. U.S. Imports vs. Exports 1,000 Tons Exports Imports Exports have remained relatively steady while imports have increased. U.S. pear exports still out number imports. Source: USDA, Economic Research Service

28. Exports U.S. vs. China China 317% U.S. 0.4% Source: Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA 1,000 Tons

37. New Cultivars Hailey Red™(c.LT1) A sport of the Bartlett pear, Hailey Red is the best Red Bartlett discovered to date. It is just like the Bartlett, except it has an exceptional red color. It ripens the same time as the Bartlett. It is very juicy with white flesh. It does not need a pollinizer. Storage life is better than Bartlett, and holds red color better than other red pear varieties.

38. Thank You