Stemilt to start pear season with new packing line, ripening program, and category investment

WENATCHEE, WA — Ahead of the 2025 pear season kick-off, Stemilt BB #:113654 is setting the standard for the pear category with a deep commitment to flavor, building on its innovation throughout the supply chain.

The grower is doubling down on taste for the large pear crop to come in the 2025-26 season with a multipronged approach, including investments in a new state-of-the-art packing line, strategic Ripe Rite pear conditioning program, and in educating the industry and consumers on what makes pears worth coming back to.

“It’s the perfect time to put our investments in pears in action,” said Stemilt’s Marketing Director, Brianna Shales. “To make a difference in the pear category, we have to continue finding new ways to bring today’s generations of consumers back to pears. We’re going to have a significant volume increase this fall compared to the down crop last year, so we’re going to boost flavor and quality with a few new additions to our packing process.”

Pear sales have been in decline, mainly driven by a small crop and lost households, with those lost dollars now being spent in other soft-fruit categories like kiwis, plums, and mangos, according to a Numerator study conducted last season by the Northwest Pear Bureau.

Consumers who frequently shop for pears say taste and health benefits drive their purchase, presenting an opportunity for pear suppliers to tap into these key decision-making factors.

“One thing the Numerator study shows is that pear shoppers want to enjoy fruit within a few days of purchase but often experience inconsistencies in fruit ripeness and texture that lead to delayed consumption or a bad experience,” explained Shales. “This reinforces the importance of providing high-quality pears at near-ripe stages to meet consumer preferences.”

The company’s new pear packing line has already increased consistency and efficiency for Stemilt Rushing Rivers pears, equipped with double defect sorting capabilities and sorting technology that is rare to see in the industry.

The packing line’s custom features are built to handle the delicate nature of the fruit and enhance automation for bagging and fulfillment to put quality back into every box of Stemilt pears.

“Pears are easy to pack, but everything else about them is hard,” said Shales. “With our new line and operational focus, we’re giving this fruit the attention it needs to return great results to the farm and retail shelves. Pears are meant to be enjoyed ripe, so we’ve built our Ripe Rite ready-to-eat pear program to meet consumers where they are to deliver consistently flavorful, ready-to-enjoy fruit. This program uses ethylene conditioning to produce pears that ripen within just a couple of days after purchase to bring consumer trust back to pears.”

Stemilt’s pears are grown in the Wenatchee and Entiat River Valleys, which are well suited for growing high-quality pears with natural afternoon shade, cool temperatures at night, and clay-heavy soil. On top of growing pears where they have historically thrived, the Happi Pear, a Stemilt exclusive, is on track to become a top variety in the category over the next 5 years.

Looking ahead to this fall, the first-of-the-season Bartlett and Starkrimson pears will be coming off the tree in August, ad-ready, and in perfect size for back-to-school sets with Lil Snappers kids-size fruit.

“The pear category has gone decades without change, until now,” explained Shales. “We’re investing in the long term to help welcome consumers back to pears. We’re firing on all cylinders, as our production team would say, and backing up our pear program with a little extra ‘oomph’ to make flavor and quality stand out. With retailer support, we have everything it takes to make pears a household staple again.”

About Stemilt
Stemilt is a leading grower, packer, and shipper of apples, pears, and cherries, with a legacy rooted in family farming and a passion for growing world famous fruit. With vertically integrated operations and a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and flavor, Stemilt delivers fruit that delights from tree to table.