River pears

California's Bartlett pear harvest was underway in the River district near Sacramento this week. One shipper who started shipping yesterday said the fruit looks good and clean, with sizes peaking toward 100s. Prices on the size 100 tight fill market were $18-19 per carton, some as high as $20. Prices could decline as volume increases, though some late season imported product is getting out of the way. Volume expectations for the shipper were up 5% to 7% this year, he said.