In the US, Bartlett pear production is expected to drop by approximately 12 per cent this year due to bad weather during the pollination stage and extended spells of frost.
A report by the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service has forecast that the 2008 crop will drop 12 per cent to peak at just over 4m boxes, down from the record 4.4m boxes packed in 2007.
Additionally, the crop harvest will be delayed by approximately 10-14 days compared with 2007, according to Pear Bureau Northwest CEO Kevin Moffit.
While the US domestic market receives around 66 per cent of the fresh pear crop, major importers of the fruit include Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Russia, Taiwan, Sweden, Germany, New Zealand and India.
