Pears

Key Requirements

Land	Medium
Labor	Medium to High
Capital	Medium

Take the HortBizQuiz to see how much Land, Labor, and Capital you have for your operation.

Markets

Direct to Consumer
- Farmer's Market
- On-Farm Stands

Pests & Disease

The most prevalent and devastating disease of pears is fire blight. Insect pests include pear psylla, codling moth, mites, stink bugs and aphids. Stink bugs create a hard spot in the fruit where feeding occurs, this happens mostly with Asian pears.

$6000 Cost per Acre

Costs and returns are presented as estimates. They will vary based on your farm and markets.

$8000-16000 Returns per Acre

Costs and returns are presented as estimates. They will vary based on your farm and markets.

Challenges

Only specific cultivars of pears should be grown in Kentucky.

Asian pears bruise easily and must be handled carefully.

Can take years before the tree is at fruit bearing age.

Opportunities

European pears, depending on the cultivar, can be stored from two to four months at the proper temperature and relative humidity.

The niche market for Asian pears in Kentucky grows steadily.