A bin of Bosc pears enters cold storage in late August at a farm near Tonasket, Washington. Northwest growers expect a 15.2-million-box harvest this year. (Ross Courtney/Good Fruit Grower)
A bin of Bosc pears enters cold storage in late August at a farm near Tonasket, Washington. Northwest growers expect a 15.2-million-box harvest this year. (Ross Courtney/Good Fruit Grower)

Northwest pear growers expect to harvest about 15.2 million standard box equivalents for the 2023 season, slightly smaller than last year but roughly on par with the four-year average, according to a news release from Pear Bureau Northwest.

“Pear growers are in full harvest mode right now hand picking a new crop of beautiful, tasty pears,” said Kevin Moffitt, president and CEO of the organization, which collectively promotes Washington and Oregon pears under a federal marketing order.

Growers anticipate 1.9 million boxes of organic pears, or roughly 13 percent of the overall crop, an increase in share over the 11 percent in 2022.

A standard box is 44 pounds.

—by Ross Courtney

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