The USDA says that global fresh apple and pear production is edging higher this growing season.

The U.S. apple harvest is anticipated to increase 1.2% to 4.4 million metric tons. Good growing conditions this year spurred a recovery in Washington, the nation’s No. 1 producer.

The U.S. pear crop remained unchanged from last year at 583,000 metric tons, according to the report, issued this month.

Gains for Washington and California pear growers offset losses in Oregon from a delayed and concentrated bloom. High temperatures and rain also caused fire blight issues.

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Pear crop expected to be slightly bigger than 2022

The U.S. pear industry expected a minor increase this season. “The crop has been holding steady as to what has been forecast,” said Jim Morris, Pear Bureau Northwest marketing and communications manager.

Apples

Worldwide apple production increased by 175,000 tons to 83.1 million tons this season.

China, the United States and South Africa posted rebounds, offsetting losses in the European Union and Turkey.

U.S. fresh apple exports were predicted to surge 34% to 820,000 tons, with shipments up to most markets, including top market Mexico and India, which removed retaliatory tariffs.

Apple imports in the United States are expected to remain near historical levels at 110,000 tons, thanks to shipments from the Southern Hemisphere.

China is the world’s top apple producer. Its harvest is forecast at 45 million tons, up 500,000 tons. Acreage continues to decline due to a policy encouraging or requiring certain farmland to be used for grains, cotton, oilseeds, sugar, vegetables and forages.

Growers are working to optimize production in existing orchards. Estimates show nearly 20% of Chinese apple orchards consist of high-density plantings of dwarf trees.

EU production slipped 475,000 tons to 12.2 million tons due to higher than normal fruit drop and low temperatures during bloom, which caused poor pollination.

Turkey’s production was down for the first time since 2014-15, dipping 118,000 tons to 4.9 million tons, as low moisture during bloom then unseasonal rains reduced yield and fruit size.

Pears

Global pear production is expected to increase 300,000 tons to 25.2 million tons as gains in China more than offset EU weather-related losses.

U.S. fresh pear exports were anticipated to increase 10,000 tons to 110,000 tons on steady supplies and improved shipments to Mexico and Canada.

U.S. imports are forecast to rebound to the highest level since 2014-15, increasing 9,000 tons to 80,000 tons. Higher shipments from Argentina are joined by shipments from China.

China production was predicted to jump 600,000 tons to 19.6 million tons as the country’s pear industry rebounded from last year’s frost-damaged crop.

Like apples, pear acreage also declined in China. But growers updated practices with investments in new tech and varieties, boosting volume and quality.

The EU crop was expected to drop 249,000 tons to 1.8 million tons, the smallest since 2005-06. Multiple damaging weather events could reduce top producer Italy’s harvest by 60%.

Argentina’s production was expected to rise to 625,000 tons and South Africa was forecast to increase slightly to 500,000 tons.