C.M. Holtzinger now exclusive sales agent for Snokist Growers
C.M. Holtzinger now exclusive sales agent for Snokist Growers
An agreement that became official April 1 brings together two well-known names in the domestic fruit industry under a single sales roof.
C.M. Holtzinger Fruit Co. and Snokist Growers, both based in Yakima, WA, reached a long-term agreement in which Holtzinger will handle all fresh fruit sales and marketing activities for the Snokist cooperative.
Speaking on behalf of Holtzinger, company President Mark Holtzinger told The Produce News that the arrangement had been discussed for some time, and he noted that both parties "are excited to develop the relationship. It's puts both companies in a good position in the marketplace, especially for cherries."
With the addition of Snokist cherry production to that of Holtzinger and Oregon Cherry Growers, now called Cherrylink, Holtzinger anticipates marketing approximately 1.7 million boxes of cherries this coming season.
Mr. Holtzinger said that cherries are a solid export item for the company, with 35-40 percent shipped to other countries. The Pacific Rim " particularly Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan " is a major marketplace.
In addition, Holtzinger?s combined apple and pear volume will increase by approximately 3 million boxes, Mr. Holtzinger continued, noting that 20-25 percent of the company?s apple volume goes to exports.
Joining the sales team at Holtzinger is Ken Helgeland, a longtime Snokist sales agent, and Mr. Holtzinger said the operation will bring on additional staff in the coming months.
He went on to say that this year packing will be done out of five separate facilities, and the "Snokist? brand will join the Holtzinger family of labels that consists of "Green Giant Fresh," "Royal Purple," "Regal Red," Blue Ribbon," "Cherrylink," "Oregon Cherry Growers? and "The Dalles Cherry Growers."
Addressing the current apple market, Mr. Holtzinger said, "Pricing is not what everyone would like to see. Fruit quality is good, and retailers are taking advantage of f.o.b. pricing to give customers a good bargain."
He said that in addition to low market prices, many grower-shippers in Washington state are approaching the 2005 growing season with concern over low snowpack and the matter of irrigation. Gov. Christine Gregoire issued an emergency drought declaration early in March, and water rights will be a pivotal point. However, he noted that most Holtzinger family growers have senior water rights, and over 60 percent of the operation?s volume will be irrigated by the Columbia River.
The Columbia?s watershed in Canada fared better than those rivers that are fed by snowpack in the Pacific Northwest?s Cascade Mountains, Mr. Holtzinger said.
C.M. Holtzinger Fruit Co. and Snokist Growers, both based in Yakima, WA, reached a long-term agreement in which Holtzinger will handle all fresh fruit sales and marketing activities for the Snokist cooperative.
Speaking on behalf of Holtzinger, company President Mark Holtzinger told The Produce News that the arrangement had been discussed for some time, and he noted that both parties "are excited to develop the relationship. It's puts both companies in a good position in the marketplace, especially for cherries."
With the addition of Snokist cherry production to that of Holtzinger and Oregon Cherry Growers, now called Cherrylink, Holtzinger anticipates marketing approximately 1.7 million boxes of cherries this coming season.
Mr. Holtzinger said that cherries are a solid export item for the company, with 35-40 percent shipped to other countries. The Pacific Rim " particularly Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan " is a major marketplace.
In addition, Holtzinger?s combined apple and pear volume will increase by approximately 3 million boxes, Mr. Holtzinger continued, noting that 20-25 percent of the company?s apple volume goes to exports.
Joining the sales team at Holtzinger is Ken Helgeland, a longtime Snokist sales agent, and Mr. Holtzinger said the operation will bring on additional staff in the coming months.
He went on to say that this year packing will be done out of five separate facilities, and the "Snokist? brand will join the Holtzinger family of labels that consists of "Green Giant Fresh," "Royal Purple," "Regal Red," Blue Ribbon," "Cherrylink," "Oregon Cherry Growers? and "The Dalles Cherry Growers."
Addressing the current apple market, Mr. Holtzinger said, "Pricing is not what everyone would like to see. Fruit quality is good, and retailers are taking advantage of f.o.b. pricing to give customers a good bargain."
He said that in addition to low market prices, many grower-shippers in Washington state are approaching the 2005 growing season with concern over low snowpack and the matter of irrigation. Gov. Christine Gregoire issued an emergency drought declaration early in March, and water rights will be a pivotal point. However, he noted that most Holtzinger family growers have senior water rights, and over 60 percent of the operation?s volume will be irrigated by the Columbia River.
The Columbia?s watershed in Canada fared better than those rivers that are fed by snowpack in the Pacific Northwest?s Cascade Mountains, Mr. Holtzinger said.
