“This year’s Northwest cherry crop is expected to be similar to last year’s harvest,” said Cat Gipe-Stewart, director of marketing. “Along with the good volume, exceptional quality is also anticipated, continuing Superfresh Growers’ strong tradition of delivering premium cherries.”
As the season kicks off, Superfresh is combining smart farming, efficient logistics and premium product tiers to give retail partners a competitive edge in the ever-important summer cherry category.
The company expects harvest to begin around June 3, with peak production running from mid-to-late June through the third week of July. The timing lines up well with key promotional windows, including Canada Day and the Fourth of July, both of which are ideal opportunities to drive cherry category performance at retail.
Superfresh’s geographic reach plays a major role in extending the season. The company has cherry orchards across the Northwest — from Oregon’s Hood River Valley all the way up to the Canadian border, as well as Flathead Lake Cherries in Montana. High-elevation sites in Washington’s Yakima Valley and Oregon’s La Grande help push the season through August, providing a steady supply of late-season fruit.
“We have strategically located orchards at high elevation and later growing districts, as well as key variety plantings that bring us a good supply of late-season cherries,” said Gipe-Stewart. “These orchards help us to have the longest Pacific Northwest cherry season.”
This year, weather has been favorable across growing regions. “Our growing districts have been graced with a mild spring and plenty of growing degree days, leading to good growth and quality,” Gipe-Stewart noted. With no major frost or storm events reported so far, the 2025 crop is shaping up to deliver consistent sizing and excellent flavor.
Superfresh Growers’ operational footprint includes three strategically placed packing lines across the Northwest, allowing for faster turnaround between harvest and packing. This speed-to-market is a differentiator when it comes to maintaining quality and extending shelf life. “Getting fresh cherries from tree to retailer faster means better quality and longer shelf life for our customers and consumers,” Gipe-Stewart said. Along with that, their experienced growers are farming for size and flavor, ensuring high-quality cherries all summer long.
The company’s premium cherry line, Super Cherry, offers another value-added option for retailers. The exclusive offering features jumbo-sized Dark Sweet and Rainier cherries, packed in distinctive pouch bags and clamshells. “Super Cherry delivers extra-large, extra-juicy, and incredibly flavorful cherries,” said Gipe-Stewart. “They complement everyday cherry programs with a standout, high-quality offering.”
Superfresh continues to invest in sustainable practices across its cherry operations, from orchard to packing line. “Sustainability is central to every operational decision at Superfresh Growers,” Gipe-Stewart said. The company is expanding its use of top-seal packaging, which reduces plastic use compared to traditional clamshells, and is focused on water conservation, enhanced efficiency and prioritizes Integrated Pest Management whenever possible.
In terms of global reach, exports remain a core focus. “The biggest export players for the industry will be Korea, Taiwan, Australia, Vietnam and Hong Kong,” said Gipe-Stewart. Still, there are concerns across the industry about tariffs in China and how that could impact pricing in other key export destinations.
For its retail partners, Superfresh offers a range of promotional tools and resources. “With a diverse in-house marketing team, Superfresh Growers offers solutions for all customer promotional needs, including point of sale materials, digital ads, and video,” Gipe-Stewart said.
Retailers also benefit from packaging flexibility. With in-house design capabilities and state-of-the-art warehouses, Superfresh can deliver a variety of formats and sizes tailored to different retail settings. That includes top-seal packaging, which offers a more sustainable alternative without sacrificing visual appeal or convenience.
While conventional cherries dominate in volume, differentiated offerings — like Super Cherry and top-seal options — give retailers the flexibility to diversify assortments and elevate merchandising.
As cherry season unfolds, Superfresh Growers is focused on consistency, quality, and retailer success. With optimal growing conditions, extended supply windows and tailored marketing support, the company is ensuring that retailers can meet consumer demand with confidence.
“Cherries are a seasonal highlight and a produce department powerhouse,” said Gipe-Stewart. “We’re here to help retailers make the most of every moment.”
