Company presents new crop sales opportunities with wide portfolio of varieties
Washington’s CMI Orchards has embarked on its 2026 pear campaign with harvesting on early varieties getting underway this week. While overall production is expected to return to more typical levels following last year’s exceptionally large crop, the company said it expects an abundant supply of high-quality pears.
“After an extraordinarily large crop in 2025, particularly in organic pears, this season represents a return to more normalized production levels,” said CMI’s pear manager, William Gant. “Supplies remain strong and there will be plenty of fruit available to support customer needs throughout the season.”
CMI offers a comprehensive pear portfolio, including Bartlett, Bosc, Comice, Green and Red D’Anjou, Forelle, Gem, Seckel, and Starkrimson pears. It continues to invest in programmes designed to improve consumer confidence and drive category growth.
CMI’s Happy Bee bagged pear programme, for example, celebrates the vital role honeybees play in fruit production while helping shoppers get the most from their purchase. Packaging includes ripening education, recipes, flavour descriptions, and usage ideas that encourage consumers to incorporate pears into meals and snacks in creative ways.
The Daisy Girl Organics programme, meanwhile, brings shoppers organic Bartlett, Bosc, Green D’Anjou, and Red D’Anjou pears in bulk displays or poly and pouch bags.
According to CMI, Gem pears continue to cause excitement in the category. “Unlike traditional pears that challenge some consumers with narrow ripening windows, Gem pears deliver an excellent eating experience across multiple stages of ripeness. Consumers can enjoy a crisp, refreshing bite immediately after purchase or allow the fruit to soften over several days for a juicier eating experience,” the company said.
Gant commented: “One of the biggest opportunities in the pear category is helping consumers feel confident about selecting, ripening. Programmes like Happy Bee and GEM are specifically designed to simplify that experience and ensure shoppers enjoy great flavour every time.”
As consumer interest in health and wellness continues to grow, CMI is also highlighting the benefits of nutrient-dense, fibre-rich pears. Through packaging, digital content, merchandising materials, and educational campaigns, the company provides retailers with tools to communicate the nutritional benefits, versatility, and convenience pears offer modern consumers.
