Northwest cherry season described as picture perfect
Northwest cherry season described as picture perfect
It’s not just the bees that have been buzzing in cherry orchards in the Pacific Northwest. Growers are raving about perfect conditions, which are expected to translate to strong volume and quality fruit as cherry production ramps up in June.
“We’re very excited about the crop,” said Mac Riggin, director of marketing for Chelan Fresh Marketing in Chelan, WA. “This year it’s spread out well, not compressed. And barring any weather events, it’s lining up to be one of the best cherry crops in years.”
“Information to date indicates very little, if any, overlap between California cherries and the start of Northwest crop,” said Suzanne Wolter, director of marketing for Rainier Fruit Co. in Yakima, WA. “Retailers and growers likely will be scrambling to satisfy demand.”
Their observations were reinforced by James Michael, vice president of marketing-North America for Northwest Cherry Growers and the Washington State Fruit Commission, who said growers do not take these observations lightly.
“Growers are cautious folk,” he told The Produce News. “The two biggest factors are Mother Nature and demand.”
Conditions have been made-to-order during the production season.
“It’s been an absolutely ideal spring,” Michael said. “Low 70s, blue skies. The bees were humming, and you could feel it.”
According to Michael, sustained warm conditions during a long and slow production season translate to tremendous fruit flavor.
The cherry production season continues to expand as growers plant both early- and late-season varieties.
“Early fruit is 10 percent of our total crop right now,” Michael said.
He expects the harvest to ramp up at the beginning of June. “It takes 10-14 days to build sustained volume,” he said.
In all, Michael said growers are expecting to harvest 7 million boxes of cherries in June, and another 10.5 million in July, which would mark the fourth-largest July volume in the region’s production history.
This year’s extended marketing window could not have come at a better time. A light California season left consumers wanting.
“That adds to pent-up consumer demand,” Michael noted.
Depending upon location, retailers are expected to have several opportunities to capitalize on Northwest volume both in June and around the traditional July 4 holiday peak.
Production in the Pacific Northwest will continue through August.
