GROW THE CATEGORY WITH CONDITIONED PEARS

We live in a ripe-and-ready, “want-it-now” society. This means many produce shoppers only buy fruit they can eat immediately or soon after purchase.

What do consumers want?

Studies show half of all pear buyers want to eat their pear within 2 days of purchase, and 71% consume them within 3 days of bringing them home. (Fusion Marketing, 2014)

Retailers have the opportunity to satisfy consumer desire by displaying conditioned pears.

Why should retailers display conditioned pears?

Third-party research has shown that stores carrying conditioned pears showed a 19.5% increase in pear sales compared to stores of similar size and demographics. (Nielsen Perishable Group, 2012)

One retailer reporting their pear category sales to Pear Bureau Northwest saw an average 35% increase in Green Anjou movement each year while merchandising conditioned pears. That is a total 212% after just four years! (Pear Bureau Northwest, 2020)

Another retailer reported more than doubling their sales with conditioned pears in just one year. (Pear Bureau Northwest, 2020)

Consumers are shopping at multiple retail outlets these days, so a retailer that is committed to flavor and is known for consistently ripe fruit can capture more of the consumer’s dollar and beat the competition.

Getting in touch with Pear Bureau Northwest is the place to start.

We are a resource for all retail pear questions. We provide customized seminars for retailers, teach employees the key steps, provide materials, and serve as a sounding board for ideas.

Contact us here.

What are conditioned pears?

Like bananas and avocados, pears ripen naturally when they begin to release ethylene. The pear industry uses the term conditioned to describe pears that have been brought to the “just starting to ripen” state by introducing ethylene to pears.

Pears are warmed to room temperature in a ripening room. The ripening room is then filled with ethylene to begin the ripening process. After approximately 24 to 48 hours with ethylene, the pears are cooled back down to 32F to 34F. Once cooled, they will stay firm throughout transportation and storage, leaving them with ample shelf life for retailers. They won’t significantly ripen further until placed back at room temperature on the store’s display or in consumers’ homes.

Our research shows that conditioned pears can have a more consistent texture and flavor throughout the box or load, enhancing the sweet and juicy flavor pears are known for and providing an enjoyable eating experience that will bring shoppers back for more.

How can retailers get conditioned pears?

Conditioned pears can be purchased from many shippers in the Northwest with ripening rooms at the source, as the industry continues to respond to growing consumer demand for more ripe fruit. Buying conditioned pears is easier than ever, simply requiring retailers to specify with their shipper, unlocking the natural flavor of pears with optimal readiness for display. Our ripening consultant can work with the receivers at the distribution center, educating them on how conditioned pears may arrive differently.

For retailers interested in ripening their own fruit, our consultants can train the retailer’s ripener on how to use the banana or avocado rooms for conditioning pears. The process is similar to ripening bananas or avocados and ripening pears can actually happen in the rooms with bananas and avocadoes.

Download our Pear Handling Manual here for detailed ripening steps along with information on all things pears.

USA Pears Pear Handling Manual
handling manual