Retailers and consumers can expect to see some of their favorite commodities from the Pacific Northwest hitting the produce department earlier than normal in 2015. The reason can be summed up in two words: wonderful weather.

Alan Schreiber, executive director of the Washington Asparagus Commission, said crop movement began on March 23, a start date that he said is exceptional. “Some people who have been in the industry for decades say this is the earliest they've gone,” he told The Produce News. “Anything before April 5 is early.”Warm weather during production is having a positive effect on commodity production in 2015, with producers reporting that crops are generally two to three weeks ahead of typical timetables. (Photo courtesy of Pixabay)

Although clipping started earlier than normal, Schreiber said daily production was temporarily affected by some cool weather. “We started so early because it was so warm,” he stated. “But [when the cool weather hit] we didn't stop. We went to every other day. Asparagus likes cool weather. Quality is great.”

Volume is light at the current time with production still in its initial stages. But Schreiber said activity will hit its stride soon. “Supplies will decline by June 15,” he stated.

Ninety percent of Washington's asparagus volume is sold to the fresh market.

Cherries, a summertime darling, are primed for quick distribution beginning in June. “This year we may already have a million boxes down the road by June 1,” said James Michael, vice president of marketing-North America for the Washington State Fruit Commission/Northwest Cherry Growers. “With the speed of our crop, retailers will have little time to respond in stores.”

He summarized the current status in more detail this way: “On average, we're running about two weeks ahead. We've had great weather for bloom, with temperatures averaging in the 60s. This great bee weather is important for pollination. Assuming that the weather pattern continues, we firmly expect to begin harvest in late May. Last year, the Northwest shipped 10 million boxes in June — almost half of our total crop. With an even earlier start to harvest, we could surpass that number.”

Jon DeVaney, president of the Washington State Tree Fruit Association, provided some additional insights. With cool nights, he said, producers “have been out with frost protection measures. I have not had reports of damage during bloom, however.”

The Pacific Northwest is known for production of quality tree fruit, including peaches, nectarines and apricots. “Most of the fruit crops are starting out a couple of weeks early,” he said. “But those like apples and pears that have longer growing seasons have enough time ahead that they can either stay early or slow down if we don't get continued warm temperatures. For example, a few weeks of cool weather in early summer could put things back on a more typical timeline.”

Kevin Moffitt, president and chief executive officer of the Pear Bureau Northwest, said it is too early to predict the state of pear production at this time. “I can tell you that bloom was/is two to three weeks early depending upon the location,” he said in mid-April.