WENATCHEE, WA - Retailers still have the opportunity to take advantage of a rare crop despite the 2024 pear crop’s projection to be the smallest in 40 years. With volume presenting a challenge in the category, Stemilt is helping retailers ensure success with five key tips for driving pear sales during this window.

“It’s been a long time since the industry has experienced pear volumes like this, yet there are still opportunities to be explored within Stemilt’s pear mix,” Marketing Director Brianna Shales shared. “Early planning will help retailers maximize this crop. For example, organic pears will have promotion opportunities, while varieties like Red d’Anjou and Happi Pear® act as substitutes for others down in volume.”

The number one tip on Stemilt’s list encourages retailers to take advantage of the current pear market with organic offerings, optimizing a monthly organic red and green pear promotion while available to encourage pear purchases within the category. As Stemilt emphasized in a press release, increasing organic promotion is ideal with the conventional side of pear offerings down this year.

“Stemilt is a unicorn with an organic pear crop that is up 40 percent year over year,” says Shales. “Organics are a great way to drive dollars to the pear category in times where volumes are not in excess. Better yet, our new, state-of-the-art pear packing line has automated capabilities which will allow us to dial in on handling pears carefully, keeping them fresh, and improving the flavor experience for consumers.”

Another way for retailers to maximize category success is by Bosc for Red d’Anjou pears, along with a Stemilt-exclusive pear variety.

“A third variety we’re very excited for this year is Stemilt’s exclusive offering of Happi Pear,” says Shales. “Happi will be available in limited supplies in September and October, but is the pear of the future to start building sales around.”

The fourth way to build pear sales throughout the season, according to the release, is Stemilt’s kid-centric Lil Snappers® brand, which offers added convenience as the back-to-school season nears and can be a great vehicle for opportunities with smaller-sized pears. The supplier also debuted a new self-merchandising pear bag to help retailers seize success this season.

“We are introducing a new poly bag, Frostbite Pears, for a value opportunity,” says Shales. “This creative packaging solution is for pears with russet-like marks or rings on the skin, caused by frost. Frostbite Pears might look different, but they have the same flavorful experience known in Stemilt’s Rushing Rivers® program. With these five key activities, we can make the most of this rare pear crop. Quality over quantity will be the way to go this year and how we’ll be able to continue delighting consumers with World Famous pears!”

For more category insights, stick around!