Storage

Pears actually ripen best off the tree. They are harvested for long-term controlled atmosphere storage when firmness reaches between 15 and 19.5 pounds depending on variety. The fruit’s picking window is any- where 4 to 10 days depending on the variety and weather during the harvest season.

Pears are stored in precooled rooms; if pears are to be shipped and packed soon after harvest, forced air cooling is used. Optimal storage temperatures are from 30o to 32oF (- 1o to 0oC) with 90 to 95% relative humidity; freezing temperatures are 29o to 28oF (-1.5o to 2oC). Treating with ethylene (100 ppm) for a day or two can substitute for cold storage (4 to 8 weeks at optimum temperature and humidity) in enhancing ripen- ing. Optimum conditions for ripening are 59o to 72oF (15o to 22oC), 90 to 95% relative humidity and CO2 below 1%.

Sources: Texas A&M University & Virginia Cooperative Extension, UC Davis Postharvest website, Washington State University

Good Arrival Guidelines/Tolerances

Good arrival guidelines in the United States permit 15% total average defects, 8% serious defects, and 3% decay upon arrival at contract destination after five days in transit.

In Canada, guidelines permit 15% total defects allowed by grade, 10% total perma- nent defects, 5% maximum for any single permanent defect, 10% maximum for any single condition defect, and 5% maximum decay.

Recommended transit temp is 32oF.

Sources: DRC, PACA, USDA