Organic blueberry and cherry production way up at Rainier
Organic blueberry and cherry production way up at Rainier
Responding to increased demand at retail, Rainier Fruit Co. in Selah, WA, has ramped up its organic production and expects to double volumes of blueberries and cherries in 2008, according to Director of Marketing Suzanne Wolter.
Ms. Wolter said that the two items run simultaneously, with first shipments expected in early to mid-June. Both organic blueberries and cherries will ship into late July this season, although Ms. Wolter noted that new blueberry plantings will take the season into August in coming years.
"Our main organic blueberry is a larger variety, the Duke," she said.
She added that total volume, including conventionally grown, will top 1 million pounds this year, with organics accounting for approximately 700,000 pounds of that total.
Last year's blueberry production total was slightly more than 600,000 pounds, with organics representing 350,000 pounds.
"We are basically doubling our organic production this season," Ms. Wolter said.
The blueberries will be packed in clamshells in sizes ranging from one pint to at least two pounds, she added. Sales go primarily to retail, with heaviest distribution currently along the West Coast and in the Northwest.
"Because we start our harvest early to mid-June, we have a good window," Ms. Wolter said. "We have very favorable conditions in Washington for organic production, and we are taking our total volume of organics to 75 percent or more, which should increase that window."
She went on to say that currently 75 percent of Rainier's hand-harvested organic blueberry fields are producing "at some level," which portends "tremendous growth over the next few years" as the company researches varieties that "store well, eat well and exhibit concentrated ripening characteristics for a consistent pack."
Organic cherries are also seeing a huge increase this year, up from 60,000 cases in 2007 to an early projection of 175,000 cases of dark cherries and 15,000 to 20,000 cases of Rainiers this year.
Cherry packs will be catch-weight or clamshell, depending on retail preference, Ms. Wolter said.
She added that organic apples will see a tripling in production for 2008, with the biggest hikes in Fujis, Granny Smiths, Galas, Pink Ladies and "everyone's favorites, the Honeycrisps."
Ms. Wolter said that the two items run simultaneously, with first shipments expected in early to mid-June. Both organic blueberries and cherries will ship into late July this season, although Ms. Wolter noted that new blueberry plantings will take the season into August in coming years.
"Our main organic blueberry is a larger variety, the Duke," she said.
She added that total volume, including conventionally grown, will top 1 million pounds this year, with organics accounting for approximately 700,000 pounds of that total.
Last year's blueberry production total was slightly more than 600,000 pounds, with organics representing 350,000 pounds.
"We are basically doubling our organic production this season," Ms. Wolter said.
The blueberries will be packed in clamshells in sizes ranging from one pint to at least two pounds, she added. Sales go primarily to retail, with heaviest distribution currently along the West Coast and in the Northwest.
"Because we start our harvest early to mid-June, we have a good window," Ms. Wolter said. "We have very favorable conditions in Washington for organic production, and we are taking our total volume of organics to 75 percent or more, which should increase that window."
She went on to say that currently 75 percent of Rainier's hand-harvested organic blueberry fields are producing "at some level," which portends "tremendous growth over the next few years" as the company researches varieties that "store well, eat well and exhibit concentrated ripening characteristics for a consistent pack."
Organic cherries are also seeing a huge increase this year, up from 60,000 cases in 2007 to an early projection of 175,000 cases of dark cherries and 15,000 to 20,000 cases of Rainiers this year.
Cherry packs will be catch-weight or clamshell, depending on retail preference, Ms. Wolter said.
She added that organic apples will see a tripling in production for 2008, with the biggest hikes in Fujis, Granny Smiths, Galas, Pink Ladies and "everyone's favorites, the Honeycrisps."
