The 2026 Northwest cherry season is coming off a winter that brought its share of challenges, from warm temperatures to periods of spring frost, but growers across the region have been navigating and adjusting accordingly. The latest 5-state cherry estimate projects the crop at approximately 18.4 million 20-pound equivalent boxes, slightly below the initial April estimate of 19.5 to 21.5 million boxes. Julieta Castillo, marketing coordinator for Superfresh Growers, said that while the crop may come in tighter than expected, current conditions are still setting the stage for a strong Northwest cherry season with promotable volume and excellent eating quality.

“California cherries are expected to finish around Memorial Day, with Northwest harvest anticipated to begin shortly after, creating a smooth transition for retailers,” said Kaci Komstadius, marketing manager at CMI Orchards. “At this point, the Northwest crop is tracking about five to seven days earlier than last year, which should help maintain strong momentum in the category,” 

Brianna Shales, marketing director at Stemilt Growers, echoed that sentiment, noting that Washington will begin harvest in late May, but strong volumes won’t arrive until mid-June, which lines up well with Fourth of July promotions. Shales added that the highest volume is expected in July, making early season momentum essential for carrying the category through its peak.

On fruit quality, lighter crop loads are expected to work in the industry’s favor. Shales said that lighter loads typically lead to larger sized fruit, and that Stemilt would be working diligently to harvest at the right time to ensure a great eating experience that brings shoppers back to the display. Castillo added that Superfresh invested heavily in winter pruning across its orchards, expecting excellent premium sizing as a result, particularly for the super cherry program, which represents the largest fruit on the tree.

Father’s Day, National Rainier Cherry Day on June 28th and Independence Day are the key promotional windows this season. Castillo said Rainier cherries are expected to peak around their dedicated holiday, making it a strong early season moment for premium positioning, while dark sweet cherries extend well beyond July 4th. Jon Bailey, who leads Oppy’s cherry category, said the company is working closely with retail partners to build the category with strong promotions during peak weeks, keep fruit fresh at store level and maintain healthy movement throughout the season.

Retailers that sustain promotion through July and into August will see stronger overall category performance, and Shales pointed to Stemilt’s A Half Mile Closer to the Moon cherries, grown at high altitude, as a way to extend the cherry season later than any other program and give retailers more weeks to capture sales.

Where marketing is concerned, Castillo linked the rise in GLP-1 use to a driving demand for healthy, convenient snack options, and said that cherries are naturally well-positioned to meet that demand. Castillo said that cherries “provide strong nutritional benefits, including soluble and insoluble fiber, potassium, vitamin C, melatonin and high levels of anthocyanins, compounds often associated with recovery and wellness support.” 

Aimee Bach, business development manager at FirstFruits Farms, said that generations are shopping differently, with older shoppers drawn in by tradition, Millennials gravitating toward convenience and value, and younger consumers motivated by health benefits and social trends. 

In response to social trends, Stemilt is introducing a Spider-Man cherry pack timed to the release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day this summer, positioning cherries as a fun, healthy snack for younger customers. Even with lighter crop estimates all around the Northwest, confidence in the cherry category remains strong heading into the summer selling season. Komstadius said that “the Northwest industry is still positioned to deliver excellent quality, strong flavor and a memorable cherry experience for consumers all summer long.”