CMI Orchards has begun harvesting early pear varieties in the Pacific Northwest, marking the official start of the 2026 pear season. Overall production is expected to return to typical levels after last year's exceptionally large crop, with the company describing supply as abundant and quality as high.
Last year's oversized pear crop created pricing pressure and logistical challenges throughout the supply chain. A return to normal volumes is generally a healthier market signal for both growers and buyers — it reduces the risk of oversupply-driven price collapses while still offering solid retail availability heading into fall.
For category managers, now is the time to firm up pear programming for the September-through-November window. With supply normalizing and quality strong at the start of harvest, early-season promotional opportunities look favorable.