Oregon’s pear industry is facing one of its most difficult seasons in decades after widespread crop damage, insect pressure, extreme weather and weak market conditions combined to leave Columbia River Gorge growers with tens of millions of dollars in losses from the 2025 growing season.
Governor Tina Kotek has requested a federal agricultural disaster designation for pear-growing counties in the Gorge, a move that could make affected producers eligible for emergency assistance through the United States Department of Agriculture. The request is aimed primarily at growers in Hood River County, Wasco County and surrounding agricultural areas where pear orchards remain a major part of the regional economy.
State officials estimate that pear growers suffered between $40 million and $45 million in crop losses during the 2025 season. Grower revenue reportedly fell by about 50 percent, creating serious financial pressure for family farms, packing houses, agricultural workers and businesses tied to the fruit industry.
The damage was driven in large part by a severe outbreak of pear psylla, a small insect that feeds on pear trees and leaves behind a sticky residue known as honeydew. That residue can lead to black sooty mold on fruit and foliage, reducing the value of the crop and leaving many pears unsuitable for the fresh market. For growers who depend on high-quality fruit to cover the cost of labor, irrigation, equipment, pest control and harvest, the infestation created losses that reached far beyond the orchard rows.
Weather added another layer of stress. Excessive heat, low mountain snowpack and limited irrigation supplies placed additional strain on orchards during an already difficult growing year. Those conditions weakened production and made it harder for growers to recover from pest damage. In agriculture, problems rarely arrive alone. A damaged crop, higher operating costs and reduced market prices can quickly turn a difficult year into a financial emergency.
Market conditions made the situation even more challenging. A large 2024 pear crop had already increased supply, while changes in the processing market pushed more fruit into fresh-market channels. Limited export opportunities and softer demand made it harder for growers to receive prices that covered production costs. In some cases, growers reportedly spent about $300 per bin to produce pears and later received settlement payments ranging from nothing to about $150 per bin, depending on the variety and marketability of the fruit.
A federal disaster designation would not erase those losses, but it could open access to emergency low-interest loans and other USDA recovery programs. It could also support broader market relief efforts, including possible federal purchases of Northwest pears or other measures designed to stabilize the industry after a damaging season.
For Oregon residents, the issue reaches beyond one crop and one region. Pear production is a significant part of Oregon agriculture, and the Columbia River Gorge is one of the state’s most important fruit-growing areas. The industry supports orchard jobs, packing facilities, cold storage operations, trucking, equipment suppliers, irrigation services and local businesses that depend on agricultural income moving through rural communities.
When growers lose half their revenue, the economic impact can spread quickly. Seasonal workers may see fewer hours. Packing houses may process less fruit. Trucking companies may move fewer loads. Farm suppliers may see delayed purchases. Local communities may feel the loss through reduced spending, lower business activity and added uncertainty heading into the next growing season.
The request also reflects broader concerns facing Oregon agriculture as producers deal with rising costs, changing weather patterns, pest pressure and unstable markets. Specialty crop growers often face narrow margins because fruit production requires major upfront investment long before harvest. Once a crop is damaged, there is little opportunity to recover those costs within the same year.
Oregon’s pear growers now await a federal decision that could determine what tools are available as they prepare for the next season. Approval of the disaster designation would allow eligible producers to apply for assistance, but individual recovery will depend on the extent of each farm’s losses, available federal programs and the ability of markets to stabilize.
The 2025 pear losses have placed a major Oregon crop under financial strain at a time when rural economies are already sensitive to rising costs and weather-related uncertainty. For the Gorge, the issue is not only about damaged fruit. It is about preserving farms, jobs and a regional agricultural system that has helped define Oregon’s economy for generations.