Del Monte closure leaves Wenatchee Valley pear growers with historic losses, uncertain future

Del Monte closure leaves Wenatchee Valley pear growers with historic losses, uncertain future

The closure of Del Monte Foods’ pear cannery is rumbling through Washington’s tree fruit industry, leaving growers without contracts, fruit rotting in orchards, and fresh markets oversupplied with pears never meant to end up there.

Del Monte Foods canning plant closure disrupts Northwest fresh pear market

When Del Monte Foods, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July, closed its pear cannery in Yakima, WA earlier this year, growers were concerned. Now that the pear season is underway, the closure is showing its effects on the market.  Jon DeVaney, president of the Washington State Tree Fruit Association, said many growers were blindsided by the move.  “Growers had to then struggle to find alternate customers,” DeVaney told the Wen…

Washington pear growers hit by cannery closure

The closure of Del Monte Foods' pear cannery in Yakima earlier this year is affecting Washington's tree fruit industry. Growers have been left without contracts, pears are rotting in orchards, and fresh markets are oversupplied with fruit that was not intended for that channel. At its peak, the Yakima…