
Best Practice Guidelines: Summer Pears
Compiled by Store-it Group for HORTGRO Science | December 2024 – Version 3 | Edited by J Strydom and M Jooste
(Please note that this information is for guidance and not regulation.)
Summer Pears are grouped for their specific characteristics of high respiration rates, sensitivity to breaks in the cold chain and consumer preference for a sweet, soft and juicy product. Should best practice guides not be followed meticulously, serious defects, such as internal browning, unsightly scuff marks and over-ripeness, will follow.
SUMMER PEAR CULTIVARS: Flamingo, Rosemarie, Cape Rose (Cheeky), Bon Rouge, Williams Bon Chretien, Early Bon Chretien, Celina and Cape Blush.
SUMMER PEARS ARE HIGHLY SENSITIVE TO ETHYLENE. THEREFORE:
• Pick all summer pear cultivars within the prescribed harvest maturity parameters, and
• Take precautions to ensure that the fruit is not exposed to any unnecessary sources of ethylene.
HARVEST MATURITY
• Firmness is the main maturity indicator when it comes to pears. Use DALRRD’s regulation as a guideline.
• Add 0.9 kg (2 pounds) to the minimum firmness to lower the risk of overmature fruit coming into the packhouse.
• Use your discretion to start harvesting – pears close to the maximum of the “firmness window” tend to be very susceptible to developing rub marks through the handling chain.
• Don’t forget about your market’s TSS requirements.
HARVEST
• Avoid harvesting fruit with high turgidity after rain.
• Avoid harvesting during periods with high ambient temperatures as far as possible.
• Prevent dust from settling on the fruit during harvest and transport as it can cause scuff marks on the fruit.
• Cover the bins with wet blankets during transport from the orchard to the bin off-loading area.
• All fruit must be transported from the orchard to the packhouse (cold store) on the same day as harvest.
• It is of critical importance to remove field heat as quickly and efficiently as possible. Serpentine cooling is often used.
Download your complete guidelines here: Best Practice Guidelines Summer Pears 2024 Final_updated