The Northwest Cherry Growers of Yakima, WA, released its round-one estimate of the 2022 cherry crop –– estimating 150,000 tons of cherries or 15 million 20-pound boxes for the season. This initial report had been pushed back a week due to the unusually cool spring temperatures felt across the Northwest.

On Saturday, May 7, Stemilt Growers celebrated the 2022 Apple Blossom Festival Stemilt Grand Parade. Fourth-generation cherry grower Kyle Mathison was decked out in his signature overalls on a 1926 Ford Model-T and Stemilt President West Mathison was at the wheel of the classic Stemilt Volkswagen Ladybug.

The Apple Blossom Festival is a beloved spring event celebrated by many Washingtonians and the Wenatchee Valley community.

The initial crop estimate for Northwest cherries will be delayed at least a week, due to the unusually cool weather experienced mid-April, according to Northwest Cherries of Yakima, WA.

The Pacific Northwest saw uncharacteristically low temperatures the week leading up to the Easter holiday, where orchards in Wenatchee, WA, saw over 16 inches of snow and record lows dropping to 26 degrees overnight, shattering previously held April records.

Recent severe weather in the Northwest has raised concerns over the 2022 cherry crop; however, growers remain optimistic. Low temperatures have been recorded across all cherry-growing regions with some districts reporting lower than 30 degrees fahrenheit. Wenatchee, WA, tied a 1986 record of 26 degrees for April as well as a record 16 inches snowfall for April, obliterating the previous record of half an inch. While the unseasonable snow is shocking to say the least, low night temperatures are the major concern.

Operating in the fertile San Joaquin County, Morada Produce is a family-owned packer and shipper of cherries, onions, walnuts and Bell peppers, with the Foppiano family’s farming traditions dating way back to the California Gold Rush in 1849. 

Equitable Food Initiative announced that CMI Orchards has achieved EFI certification.

More than 50 percent of the captive acreage of apples, cherries and pears marketed by CMI Orchards is EFI certified with the completion of certification of McDougall & Sons, growing partner and owner of CMI Orchards. The certification includes CMI's top-selling Daisy Girl Organics brand and its extensive selection of licensed branded apples in the United States.