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Abstract
Ethylene treatments provide an effective method for shortening post-harvest ripening
periods for winter Anjou pears and allow market availability throughout the year.
However, pear quality may vary under different treatments. A sensory experiment and a
consumer survey including questions that address valuation, assessments of sensory
characteristics, purchasing habits, and demographics were conducted. Analyses indicate
that treatment-induced quality losses significantly affect consumers’ willingness to pay
(WTP). Mean WTP for each treatment reveals that consumers prefer pears with a six-day
ethylene treatment and are willing to pay a premium of $0.25/pound compared to the
market price.