Washington tree fruit grower, packer and shipper, Stemilt, is partnering with Kelowna, B.C.-based Day’s Century Growers, to bring the new Happi Pear to Canadian consumers.
“Our family has been farming since 1892, and we represent 80 to 90 percent of the pears grown in B.C.,” says co-owner Kevin Day. “We have been looking for a new pear, and Happi Pear has been the best candidate for us.”
The Day family has farmed their land, known as Byrnes Farms, for over five generations, growing pears and now operating a family-run packing facility on site. Their high-density plantings in the property’s newer orchards have increased the volume of pears per acre as well as fruit quality.
“We’re very excited to be partnering with Day’s Century Growers to plant enough of this new cultivar to bring Happi Pear supply that will match the high demand for the premium variety throughout North America,” says Rob Blakey, director of research and development at Stemilt.
“Halley’s Comet comes around more often than the launch of a new pear variety, so when something as special as Happi Pear comes along, it is key to join forces with growers and packers who understand the importance of quality and the needs of the local consumer.”
The Hw624 variety behind the Happi Pear hits all the marks for both growers and consumers.
“We like Happi Pear because of its sweet but slightly tangy flavour profile, storage ability and growing benefits, like its tolerance to psylla and fire blight,” says Day.
The sweet, yet zesty, Harrow Sweet cross has excellent eating quality when green and crunchy, as well as when it’s yellow with a melting texture. Happi Pears store and pack easily, with low scuffing and shrivelling.
Happi Pear was bred by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at the Ontario-based Harrow Research and Development Centre, with Vineland Research and Innovation Centre evaluating varieties in collaboration with growers and consumers.